The West Corner

Moving...

2010-06-10T14:57:00.004-04:00

Well, I've thought about it for a while, and I finally took the plunge. I've moved this blog over to WordPress. I'm still settling into my new blogging home, so things will be changing over the next few weeks, but the blog is up and running if you want to check it out.

Summertime fun...

2010-06-10T10:50:00.002-04:00

The Summer Treasure Hunt is still going on, with dozens of prizes still waiting to be given away! Check out all the details here.

Coffee Time Romance is celebrating this month with June Jubilee. Each day, authors are featured and available to chat in the forums. To join the fun and enter to win some prizes, visit Coffee Time Romance. The Sweetest Romance Authors (including me) are featured today and will be chatting all day in their corner of the Java Junction.

My personal summertime fun this week is finishing up revisions on my first inspirational time travel romance manuscript (how's that for a mouthful?) and writing a synopsis for it. I'm sure that doesn't sound like much fun to most of you, but I see it as one step closer to getting it published. I still have to go through the submission process and pray it gets accepted, but I have a good feeling about this story. I'll keep you posted on any developments, such as a contract.

The other bit of summertime fun I'm enjoying this week, aside from gorgeous (if a bit hot) weather, is jumping rope and using my hula hoop. Sounds like kid stuff, right? Well, maybe it is, but that's beside the point. What is the point? I'm getting more in shape and I may have to buy a few things for my wardrobe soon. All that hula hooping is making waistbands fit more loosely. Can I get an amen for "kids" toys?

Have a great rest of the week, everyone, and don't forget to make time for your own bit of summertime fun!

2nd Annual "Summer Treasure Hunt: Dig for Clues and Win" Contest!

2010-06-01T10:25:00.011-04:00

Ready for a summer of fun and awesome prizes? Check out the details below for a Summer Treasure Hunt you don't want to miss!

Welcome to our second annual “Summer Treasure Hunt: Dig for Clues and Win” Contest! Last year, some author friends and I put together a month long contest where we gave away a prize a day for the entire month of June. The contest was so successful that my friends and I have decided to do it again…only this time we’ve gathered together enough prizes to last through the first week of July! Again, we have something for everyone: romance, fantasy, mystery, suspense, historicals, contemporaries, young adult and middle grade fiction; children’s picture books; and a variety of non-fiction titles. We also have some exciting non-book prizes: a hand crocheted book tote and cell phone case; a book/jewelry combo; a Mary Kay cosmetic assortment; a The Lion, the Witch, and The Wardrobe DVD; and (you aspiring writers won’t want to miss this one!) a free edit/critique for the first 50 pages of an unpublished novel by a three-time published author!

How can you enter to win one of these awesome prizes? Just follow the rules below!

SUMMER TREASURE HUNT RULES:

You can send in an entry for each day’s prize, or only for those prizes that strike your fancy. The rules are simple:

(1) Go to the website or blog indicated for each day, find the answer to the question for that day, then email the answer with your name and AND MAILING ADDRES to jdipastena@yahoo.com. I promise you will not wind up on any mailing lists. This is only to facilitate the receipt of your prize. All entries will be deleted at the end of the contest.

(2) Please send a separate entry for each day and type the day you are entering in the subject line. (Such as: Summer Treasure Hunt, June 1; Summer Treasure Hunt, June 2, etc).

(3) Deadline for each day: Midnight PST

(4) The winner will be contacted and announced on the day following the deadline.

All winners will be “drawn” by WWW.RANDOM.ORG.

You do not have to wait until the designated day to enter. You can start sending in your entries right now, or begin entering at any point along the way. And check back here each day between June 2nd-July 9th to read the names of the winners.

If you have any questions, feel free to email Joyce DiPastena at jdipastena@yahoo.com.

And now…let the treasure hunt begin!

June 1

SPONSOR: Donna Hatch

PRIZE: Queen in Exile, (fantasy romance), autographed by author

QUESTION: The princess must rely upon her magic to save whom? (Hint: Look under “Bookshelf” tab)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.donnahatch.net

OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES

WINNER: Amber Nielson of Vermont

ANSWER: Herself and her people from death and tyranny

June 2

SPONSOR: Laurie Lewis

PRIZE: Awakening Avery (women's fiction), autographed copy

QUESTION: Avery's signal that she isn't handling her husband's death very well comes to her when she tosses what into what? (Hint: Look under “books &reviews, then click on the cover to Awakening Avery and read the first chapter)

WEBSITE/BLOG: www.laurielclewis.com

USA ENTRIES ONLY

WINNER: Barbara Stilwell of Minnesota

ANSWER: The remote into the TV

June 3

SPONSOR: E.A. West

PRIZE: Riley's Mission (PDF: romantic suspense)

QUESTION: Where does Jade sit after she sees Aziz Khadoul? (Hint: Click on “Books” tab, then on “excerpt” link for Riley’s Mission)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://eawest.mcphitty.com

OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES

WINNER: Judy Cox of Louisiana

ANSWER: An empty wheelchair

June 4

SPONSOR: Jenna Dawlish

PRIZE: Sprig of Thyme (Victorian romance), autographed copy

QUESTION: What is the name of the hero in Jenna's first novel Love Engineered? (Check out “The Library” tab)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.jennadawlish.com/

OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES

WINNER: Ginny Romney of Arizona

ANSWER: Charles Lucas

June 5

SPONSOR: Rachael Renee Anderson

PRIZE: Divinely Designed (contemporary LDS romantic comedy), autographed copy

QUESTION: What is the title of Rachael's second book, being released in August? (Hint: scroll down to Rachael’s “Goodreads” titles on the right hand sidebar))

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://rachaelreneeanderson.blogspot.com/

USA ENTRIES ONLY

WINNER: Karin Tillotson of Pennsylvania

ANSWER: Luck of the Draw

June 6

SPONSOR: Linda Kay Garner

PRIZE: Some Secrets Hurt (picturebook), autographed copy, plus a handmade cuddling blanket. This picture book is for all ages. It is simple enough to be understood by a very young child, meaningful enough to appeal to teenagers, informative enough to be helpful to parents, and powerful enough to reach out to a wounded adult.

QUESTION: The only thing worse than finding out that your child is being sexually abused is ____ ____ ____? (Hint: Listen to 5 minute KSL TV interview on the right side of the website or dowload the free Parents’ Guide)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://somesecretshurt.com/
OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES

WINNER: Laura Lewis of North Carolina

ANSWER: Not finding out

June 7

SPONSOR: Danielle Thorne

PRIZE: (New/Sealed) The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe (Widescreen DVD)

QUESTION: In Danielle Thorne's novel, Turtle Soup, what is the name of the marine biologist who inspires Sara Hart to name her deli Turtle Soup? (Hint: read the blurb for Turtle Soup on Danielle’s website homepage)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://daniellethorne.jimdo.com/

USA ENTRIES ONLY

WINNER: Carol Rainbolt of Arizona

ANSWER: Jack Brandon

June 8

SPONSOR: Larry Hammersley

PRIZE: Lab Partners (sweet 1950’s romance), ebook

QUESTION: What are the first names of the hero and heroine in the short story Lab Partners? (Hint: Check out “WIP Report” post for April 4, 2010)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://larryhammersley.blogspot.com/

OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES

WINNER: Mina Gerhart

ANSWER: Leroy and Jody

June 9

SPONSOR: Linda Weaver Clarke

PRIZE: Melinda and the Wild West: (historical romance, YA and adult), autographed copy

QUESTION: What was Melinda doing when she first met Gilbert and why did he act flustered and then abruptly turn and briskly stride away? (Hint:. Click on “Sample Chapters” tab, then on the book title for Melinda and the Wild West to read a sample chapter.)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.lindaweaverclarke.com/

OPEN TO USA AND CANADA ENTRIES

WINNER: Cassandra Cantrell of Utah

ANSWER: She was wading in a stream and her skirt was hiked up showing her legs and bare feet

June 10

SPONSOR: Angela Morrison

PRIZE: Taken by Storm (Penguin/Razorbill 2009), YA romance, autographed hard cover

QUESTION: A legendary LDS author of over 30 books for teens called Taken by Storm, "An amazing story written with a clear, refreshing and creative voice." Who was it? (Hint: check “Taken By Storm” tab)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://web.me.com/angelamorrison/Angela_Morrison/Welcome.html

OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 11

SPONSOR: Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen

PRIZE: Trapped (romantic suspense with a hint of paranormal fantasy), autographed copy

QUESTION: The first trap Emi Warrin encounters is a mysterious letter. To where does it lure her? (Hint: Read the book summary under the Trapped tab)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://rondahinrichsen.com/

USA ENTRIES ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 12

SPONSOR: Anne Patrick

PRIZE: Journey to Redemption (inspirational romantic suspense), free download

QUESTION: What did Royce use to do for a living in my upcoming release, Out of the Darkness? (Hint: Look under the “My Books” link for Anne’s new release, Out of the Darkness)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.suspensebyanne.blogspot.com

OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 13

SPONSOR: Rebecca Talley

PRIZE: Altared Plans (contemporary LDS romance), autographed by author

QUESTION: What is unique about my youngest son? (Hint: Watch the YouTube video Extra C posted on the right side of Rebecca’s blog)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.rebeccatalleywrites.blogspot.com

USA ENTRIES ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 14

SPONSOR: David J. West

PRIZE: Heroes of the Fallen (historical fiction), autographed hardcopy)

QUESTION: What is the name of my favorite author? (Hint: Scroll through David’s June blogs. He promises you’ll find the answer!)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://david-j-west.blogspot.com/

USA ENTRIES ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 15

SPONSOR: Jennifer Stewart Griffith, author of Choosing Mr. Right and Delicious Conversation

PRIZE: FREE edit and/or critique of first 50 pages of a novel

QUESTION: What is the Japanese word for the hairstyle worn by sumo wrestlers? (Hint: Check out Jennifer’s favorite sumo blog, Sumo Beautiful. Look for Hama Bijin’s April 13^th post)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://sumobeautiful.blogspot.com/

OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES as long as the manuscript can be emailed to Jennifer and is in English

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 16

SPONSOR: Rebecca Irvine

PRIZE: Family Home Evening Adventures (non-fiction book of FHE lessons), free e-book on CD

QUESTION: What is the title of the first book written by Rebecca Irvine? (Hint: Read “about me” on Rebecca’s blog)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.rebeccairvine.blogspot.com/

USA ENTRIES ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 17

SPONSOR: Marilyn Bunderson

PRIZE: The Mark (YA Fiction), autographed copy with a bookmark

QUESTION: In a deleted scene from my book, The Mark, Jon loses a bet to Shae. What does he have to do to pay up? (Hint: Found in post titled "Deleted Scenes From The Mark" dated April 15, 2010)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://mrbunderson.blogspot.com/

USA ENTRIES ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 18

SPONSOR: Heather Justesen

PRIZE: Winner’s Choice: The Ball’s In Her Court (contemporary inspirational) or Rebound (contemporary romance), autographed by author

QUESTION: How much did the FBI agent expect John's bail to be set at? (Hint: Click on "My Books" tab, then "read more" about Rebound.)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.heatherjustesen.com/

OPEN TO USA ENTRIES ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 19

SPONSOR: Nichole Giles

PRIZE: The Sharp Edge of a Knife (inspirational historical, based on a true story), autographed copy

QUESTION: What is the correct title of the humorous anthology I coauthored? (Hint: Look in the right hand sidebar)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.nicholegiles.blogspot.com/

USA ENTRIES ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 20

SPONSOR: Karen Adair

PRIZE: Trendy blue/brown crocheted book tote with matching cell phone case (Check out Karen’s “Diva Strings” website for examples: http://www.divastrings.com/index.html)

QUESTION: Where did Karen learn how to type and what speed did she finally top out at? (Hint: Check Karen’s “Bio” tab)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.kbadair.com/

USA ENTRIES ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 21

SPONSOR: Lynn Parsons, co-author of the soon to be released non-fiction book, (dis)Abilities and the Gospel

PRIZE: A pair of hand-knit socks

QUESTION: What are three of the topics I list on the parent page of my website? (Look on “Parent Page” tab)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.lynndparsons.com/

USA ENTRIES ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 22

SPONSOR: Kinzie Monroe

PRIZE: Reservations for Two (inspirational romance), autographed CD

QUESTION: What was Maggie doing when she and Carson first met in Reservations for Two? (Hint: click on the “Excerpts” link on Kinzie’s blog)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://kinziemonroe.blogspot.com/

USA ENTRIES ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 23

SPONSOR: Michele Ashman Bell

PRIZE: Summer in Paris (YA romance), autographed copy and Eiffel Tower bookmark

QUESTION: What is Michele "dreaming of"? (Hint: found on sidebar above picture of Eiffel Tower

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://micheleabell.blogspot.com/

OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 24

SPONSOR: Jaimey Grant and JaysDesign Jewelry

PRIZE: A signed copy of Redemption, a Regency romance by Jaimey Grant, and a 19" hand-knotted strand of freshwater pearls ($45 value) handmade by Jay T Lyons of JaysDesign Jewelry

QUESTION: Artist Jay T Lyons did a sketch for the cover of an upcoming Regency romance of mine. What is the sketch of and what is the title of the upcoming book?

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://sites.google.com/site/jaimeygrant/jaytlyons

USA ENTRIES ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 25

SPONSOR: Christine Thackeray

PRIZE: Lipstick Wars (LDS Women’s Fiction), autographed copy

QUESTION: What is the name of the angel who needs a vacation in my recent pamphlet, “Could You Be an Angel Today? (Hint: Play the book trailer for “Could You Be an Angel Today” on Christine’s home page)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.christinethackeray.com/

OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 26

SPONSOR: Bonnie Harris

PRIZE: Mary Kay Satin Lips Set, Travel Size Satin Hands Set and a set of mineral eye colors

QUESTION: What is the name of my African Gray and African Desert Tortosie? (Hint: Read “About Me” in the left hand sidebar)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.bonnieharris.blogspot.com/

OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 27

SPONSOR: Teralee Deighton

PRIZE: Cup of Comfort for New Mothers (personal essay anthology)

QUESTION: Name the editor of Cup of Comfort for New Mothers

WEBSITE/BLOG:

http://www.adamsmediastore.com/category/cup-of-comfort-series?r=COC_Bookstore

USA ENTRIES ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 28

SPONSOR: C. LaRene Hall

PRIZE: Martha’s Freedom Train (middle grade historical), autographed by both author and illustrator

QUESTION: How many short stories has C. LaRene Hall published in the humorous anthology, Mormon Mishaps and Mischief? (Hint: Look in the left hand sidebar)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.clhall.blogspot.com/

USA ENTRIES ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 29

SPONSOR: Sarah M. Eden

PRIZE: Courting Miss Lancaster (Regency romance), autographed copy

QUESTION: In his "I Need Friends Friday" interview, what reason does Edward Cullen give for not sleeping at night?

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.sarahmeden.com/2009/11/i-need-friends-friday-edward-cullen.html

OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 30

SPONSOR: Marcia Mickelson

PRIZE: Reasonable Doubt (LDS Suspense), autographed copy

QUESTION: In what country was author, Marcia Mickelson born? (Hint: Click on “About Marcia” tab)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.marciamickelson.com/

USA ENTRIES ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

July 1

SPONSOR: Kimberly Job

PRIZE: I'll Know You by Heart (romantic suspense), autographed copy

QUESTION: What is the title of my current work in progress? (Hint: Look under “My Books” tab)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.scribbledscraps.blogspot.com/

USA ENTRIES ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

July 2

SPONSOR: Joan Sowards

PRIZE: Haunts Haven (an LDS ghost story), autographed copy

QUESTION: What is the name of the town in which the story of Haunts Haven takes place? (Hint: Found on sidebar synopsis of story)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://joansowards.blogspot.com/

OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES

WINNER:

ANSWER:

July 3

SPONSOR: Margaret L. Turley RN

PRIZE: Save the Child (Reality Fiction), autographed copy

QUESTION: Where can you listen to an audio interview with Margaret L. Turley about her book, Save the Child? (Hint: Click on link at the bottom of Margaret’s bio on her “About the Author” page)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://margaretturley.com/

USA ENTRIES ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

July 4

SPONSOR: Joyce DiPastena

PRIZE: Illuminations of the Heart (sweet medieval romance, a 2009 Whitney Award Finalist), autographed by author

QUESTION: Who were gifts usually given to on Epiphany during the Middle Ages? (Hint: Click on “Stolen Christmas” tab and read excerpt from “An Epiphany Gift for Robin”)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.joyce-dipastena.com/

OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES:

WINNER:

ANSWER:

July 5

SPONSOR: Cindy R. Williams

PRIZE: Chase McKay Didn’t Get Up Today (Arizona Glyph Award Finalist and Southwest Book Awards Finalist), a snuggle, giggle children’s picture book

QUESTION: There is a picture of Cindy holding two dragons on her website, http://www.cindyrwilliams.com/ The names of the dragons are in the caption below the picture. What are their names? (Hint: Look on the “Book” page)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.cindyrwilliams.com/

USA ENTRIES ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

July 6

SPONSOR: Gail Pallotta

PRIZE: Love Turns the Tide (inspirational romance with suspense), free e-book on CD, with a pendant necklace and matching earrings

QUESTION: Who comes to Cammie O'Shea's rescue after she has a break-in at her unit in Destin, Florida? (Hint: Scroll down to: MORE ABOUT THE BOOK)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.gailpallotta.com/

OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES

WINNER:

ANSWER:

July 7

SPONSOR: Danyelle Ferguson, co-author of the soon to be released non-fiction book, (dis)Abilities and the Gospel

PRIZE: a 30 page manuscript edit

QUESTION: Name three of the "special needs" addressed in (dis)Abilities and the Gospel. (Hint: Click on the "Books" tab for (dis)Abilities and the Gospel).

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.danyelleferguson.com/

USA ENTRIES ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

July 8

SPONSOR: Karen E. Hoover

PRIZE: Sapphire Flute (YA Fantasy), autographed copy

QUESTION: How many bloggers have posted their reviews of The Sapphire Flute? (Hint: Check out the list under “Sapphire Flute Blog Tour” in the right hand side bar and count ‘em up)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://karen-hoover.blogspot.com/

USA ENTRIES ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

I'm back!

2010-05-23T13:40:00.003-04:00

No, I didn't really fall off the Internet, although I'm sure it seemed that way for a while. Between promotion and the general insanity I call my life, I've felt a little like Alice when she steps through the looking glass. You know, running as fast as I can just to stay in one place. Thankfully, things are slowing down a little.

I haven't just been playing in chaos, however. I've been working as diligently as possible to finish my inspirational time travel romance. It's almost done; only 1,100 words to go. I'm so excited! Of course, once I complete the manuscript, I'll have to get my beta reader to look it over and make sure there aren't any consistency issues. I've done a lot of rearranging and adding to that story, so repeated material or things appearing out of order is a very real possibility. I think I managed to keep it all straight, so hopefully my beta reader will give me a great report. If she loves the story, so much the better. :)

And now, since it's a sunny Sunday afternoon, I'm going to leave this a short post and go enjoy the rest of the day. With as many rainy days as we've had in the last couple of weeks, I plan to take advantage of the nice weather while it lasts. Have a great day!

Autism Awareness Guest Blogger: Christina Deanne

2010-04-27T10:23:00.004-04:00

Bitterness and Truth

by Christina Deanne

When my son was in kindergarten, he was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome. An autism specialist was called in through the school, she performed the standard ASDS test and drew her conclusion as a result.

My husband and I knew that Mark was special. He read when he was three years old. He could tell time at age 2 ½. He knew all the shapes in his Tupperware shape sorter, including “trapezoid.” When he was four, he read the words “drive thru pharmacy” at our local drug store. But something was off.

I struggled with the idea that something was “wrong” and that he was having meltdowns at school. I had to apply myself to get him to play with other children. It did not come naturally. I called and arranged and called and arranged. I read articles on how to help your child make friends. When I could bear it, I read articles on Asperger's and autism. And I did this all without internet and very little support.

At the time of his diagnosis, I had three children five and under. I was overwhelmed and under supported. When the kids were in bed, I cried in my kitchen and had it out with the Lord. I screamed silently in accusation and alternately asked Him to help me. I felt myself slipping away and I couldn't. I had two other small children who needed me.

I remember standing in my kitchen and I told myself, “I will be angry. I can hang on to that. I will be bitter.”

Hindsight is always 20/20, but at the time, I felt I could only cope and think clearly if I was angry. And I did. Anger helped me live and walk and shop and do laundry and read stories and make dinner and put kids to bed. But it scarred my soul.

Three years later. Three years of having my inside ground up and turned to dust. Of going to church and begging God for help and feeling utterly abandoned. Three years later, I turned to my husband and said, “I cannot fix this.” That statement was the beginning of my new life and hope.

It took another couple of years to go online and when I did, I found the community and support that I needed. It took those two years to work that anger out of my system. Even when I was feeling good, I could feel anger's cold tentacles gripping my heart.

Rick Warren in his book “The Purpose Driven Life” says in effect that your problems are your ministry. I believe that to be true. I wish that I could say that I run a great ministry for parents of children with autism. I don't. I'm a stay at home mother, who has a thirteen year old son with Asperger's. And he's doing well, not perfect, but good. But those ugly feelings did their work and God cultivated a heart of encouragement and mercy that I did not have before this dark experience.

What I have learned through all my anger is that God knows all about you and can take it. I was never dishonest with God about my feelings. You cannot be, even if you tried. I was always upfront with Him and never held a thing back. He bore it so patiently and met me with truth. Although I gave Him the dust and ashes of my soul, the Lord turned it into something beautiful.

##

Christina Deanne is a wife and stay at home mother who lives in the Chicagoland area. She went back to college and is pursuing an Associates of Applied Arts degree. She has written several articles about her experiences as a parent of a child with Asperger's.

5 More Common Myths about the Autism Spectrum

2010-04-22T11:21:00.001-04:00

In a previous post, I listed five common myths about people on the autism spectrum. Here, I’ll discuss five more common myths and their factual counterparts.

Myth 1: People on the autism spectrum cannot get married and raise a family

Fact: Many autistics are happily married and parents. While it may be more difficult for a person on the autism spectrum to maintain relationships and deal with the stress of raising children, there is no reason to believe they are incapable of living a normal, happy life.

Myth 2: People on the autism spectrum have excellent memories

Fact: This is a common misconception likely based on the seemingly endless streams of trivia some autistics can recite. However, not all autistics have the profound memorization skills often attributed to them. Some have above average memories, some have average memories, and some have memories that resemble a sieve: the information goes in and then goes back out just as quickly.

Myth 3: People on the autism spectrum are unhappy and miserable

Fact: While many autistics do suffer from depression, it is usually not caused by the autism itself. Instead, the depression comes as a result of the treatment of those around them and society as a whole, who look at the diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder and immediately make assumptions about the persons abilities, or lack thereof, based solely on preconceived misconceptions. Placing limitations on an autistic simply because he is autistic is one of the worst things you can do. No one likes to hear he can’t do something because of something that makes him different; that’s what led to the civil rights movement of the 1960s. People on the autism spectrum who are allowed to be themselves, even if that self isn’t “normal,” tend to be much happier and more well-adjusted than autistics who are forced to conform or held back because of their autism.

Myth 4: People on the autism spectrum want to be cured

Fact: Although many people may call for a cure for autism, few of them are on the spectrum themselves. The majority of autistics are against a cure because they don’t feel they should be cured of who they are. Autism isn’t a disease; it is a way of life. To cure autism is to take away what makes the autistic who she is. Some have equated curing autism with genocide. In a way, that is just what it is, for autism cannot be separated from the autistic and to eradicate autism would eradicate one segment of society. Autism doesn’t need to be cured, it needs to be accepted and autistics allowed to be themselves without fear.

Myth 5: People on the autism spectrum are all savants

Fact: It is true that some autistics have special abilities, but there are no more savants on the autism spectrum than there are in any other group of people. Just like neurotypicals (people not on the autism spectrum), autistics have a range of talents, abilities, and deficits. To believe that every autistic must be an expert at something is to believe a lie. Most autistics are average at a variety of things, just like the rest of society. They may work to develop their talents and become impressive musicians or mathematicians, but the majority aren’t prodigies. They are just people who are good at some things and not so good at others.

The important thing to remember about people on the autism spectrum is that they are people who happen to be different. They aren’t a group to be pitied or looked down upon. Most of them would gladly answer the questions of anyone truly interested in learning about the realities of autism. Above all, treat autistics as you would anyone else and allow for the differences that are sure to make themselves known.

Autism Awareness Guest Blogger: Troy Corley

2010-04-20T00:01:00.000-04:00

Yes, Your Asperger's Teen is Crazy!

By Troy Corley
Co-Founder of ASAP Asperger's Support for Adolescents Plus www.vcasap.org

Shocking to call your teen with Asperger's crazy? Not really. ALL teens are crazy when it comes to the perspective of parents, grandparents and other guardians of our emerging adults.

In fact, "Yes, Your Teen is Crazy!: Loving Your Kid Without Losing Your Mind," is the title of one of the best books on raising teens and young adults that I've ever read. Author Michael J. Bradley, a psychologist, details how the most advanced parts of the human brain continue to grow in sporadic spurts up until the age of 25 or so.

These spurts account for the often impulsive, unstable and unpredictable behavior of teens and young adults. And guess what? Teens with Asperger's are no different.

I credit Bradley's book for saving my sanity while raising my teen son with ADD. I credit his book for saving my soul while going through some traumatic times with my Asperger's daughter Em, whose anxiety over sensory issues, social situations and the school system, nearly sent us all over the edge of reason.

Raising a child with Asperger's is no picnic. But neither is raising any child in these times. What I learned from Dr. Bradley was to take a major step back in the middle of chaos and to see my daughter as a person with a teen brain first, and a person on the Autism Spectrum, second.

A key word here is not only "teen" but "person." Teens are people. They deserve the same respect you would give any person. Trying to communicate with a teen and especially inflexible Aspies with an authoritarian "it's my way or the highway" approach, simply doesn't work. In fact, it compounds an already contentious situation rife with anger that can explode into aggressive behavior.

Teens and young adults also need acceptance of who they are. And those on the Autism Spectrum not only need acceptance of who they are but acceptance of how they relate and experience the world around them, because it is different than neurotypical teens and young adults.

It took a crisis with my daughter for me to really get this message. I had to throw out my preconceived ideas about how to raise a teen and what to expect of my teen daughter with Asperger's. By wholeheartedly embracing the concept of "respect and acceptance," I dramatically changed how I related to Em. It not only brought a deeper understanding of who she is but the chaos that once governed our household has dissipated.

Is the chaos still there? At times yes, but these moments of confusion and anxiety for her have become less frequent and less intense. She has become more independent, allowing her step-father and I to be able to carve out time for ourselves as a couple, something we could rarely do before without meltdowns as a result.

With respect and acceptance as my mantra, I now not only love my daughter for who she is but I no longer focus on who she is not. I put my energy into her strengths and interests, which in turn has made her life richer and has encouraged her to pursue creative opportunities that otherwise would have been lost.

I've brought the philosophy of respect and acceptance to a social support group for teens and young adults with Asperger's and High Functioning Autism. ASAP Asperger's Support for Adolescents Plus (http://www.vcasap.org) is not another therapy group. It's an organization where young people on the high end of the spectrum can socialize and develop friendships.

Since our ASAP members come from a variety of family backgrounds, it's often a challenge to impart this philosophy of respect and acceptance to the parents, grandparents and other caregivers. Many are reeling from the impact of having a rigid relationship with their children, based on a lack of respect and acceptance. I try to quietly yet firmly get the message across.

When parents ruefully admit that their son loves to play a Pokemon card game, I tell them that's wonderful -- their son has an interest! Respect and accept this and find out who else likes to play and get a group together to play the game once a month. When parents heard the laughter from ASAP members playing a game of Taboo, they were surprised to find that it was their young adult laughing with friends and not the "normal" sister of one of our members. Respect and accept that your child with autism can have friendships and also respect and accept that using the world "normal" in reference to people on the spectrum is neither accurate nor helpful. Ashamed that your child on the spectrum is not attending college or doesn't have a career? Respect and accept that a college degree or a high-paying job does not guarantee a life well-lived.

So this April, Autism Awareness Month, celebrate your teen and young adult on the spectrum. Understand that while their brains are powered by a type of crazy growth that keeps them from effortlessly communicating with their parental units, that you can help them rewire their lives by showering them with the respect, acceptance and love they need to develop into happy adults.

You can contact Troy Corley, a mother of a teen daughter with Asperger's, at troy@vcasap.org.

Autism Awareness Guest Blogger: Mary Calhoun Brown

2010-04-13T00:01:00.001-04:00

Guest post by Mary Calhoun Brown

Award-winning Author and Speaker

There Are No Words

www.marycalhounbrown.com

Never will I forget the day the doctor looked me in the eye and used the word "autism" to describe my son. To say I felt hopeless and overwhelmed would be an understatement. The words "best-case scenario" were also uttered that day, although my memory of that time is a long tube with "autism" at one end and everything else faded around it.

The pity party was fabulous. You should have been there.

The following day I took one look at the most beautiful child who was ever born and decided to re-define "best case scenario." This is William's story.

Yes, I could go into chapter and verse about the games we played (staring contest, etc..), the methods we used (social stories, etc..) and the times we cried (leaving traditional school for seventh and eighth grades), but instead I'd like to tell you about his spirit.

If William has taught me one thing, it's expect the best.

Within a week of his diagnosis, we decided to tell William he was autistic. We felt he had nothing to be ashamed of, and he has never hidden this fact from anyone. Together we searched for famous people with Asperger's Syndrome (William's brand of autism) and found a list of role models that included Thomas Jefferson, Sir Issac Newton, Albert Einstein and Bill Gates. This is the foundation upon which my son built his self esteem. (Best-case scenario, indeed!)

In both elementary and middle school William gave presentations in front of his peers, disclosing his differences and taking questions. With this he began his love of public speaking. As often as possible, he would stand in front of groups of people and ignore the fact that he has a three-second auditory delay.

In his early teens William was invited to participate in President Eisenhower's People to People Student Ambassador Program. Who were we to hold him back? In seventh grade he visited England and France without us. In eighth grade he visited Italy, Spain, Monaco and southern France. And in ninth grade, we sent our Aspie to Russia, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Germany and Poland.

This summer he is taking classes at Harvard University as part of its Secondary Schools program. He wants to attend Princeton or Brown after high school.

The truth is, everything I've learned about life has come from my autistic child.

Be who you are:

William has never pretended to be something he isn't. He tells people he is different. Why does everyone try to "fit in" when we were born to stand out? And he definitely stands out. At 6'3", handsome, faithful and highly intelligent, William never waivers from the truth of who he is and what he has overcome. He never fails to pray quietly over his meals. He stays late at school. He helps others even when it limits his own free time. He spends his weekends in retreat from other people (aka alone). When he's angry, he shows it. When he's tired, he shows that, too. William lives very happily in his own skin.

Say what you feel:

On his trip to eastern Europe, William traveled with a group of students who were very different from him. We live in beautiful, mountainous West Virginia, and the kids he traveled with were from cities in New Jersey. William reported to us that nearly all of those on his trip were either atheist or Jewish. He decided to share his faith with them. (Yikes, right?)

William's other passion is Lincoln-Douglas debate, and as a result, he has become proficient at arguing his case. With a wealth of knowledge on every topic you can imagine from the escalading Iranian/Israli conflict to compulsory immunizations, William can intelligently offer up the pro's and con's on just about every subject you can think of. Whether we like it or not, William always says what he feels.

Those who mind don't matter:

Ahhh, middle school. The bullying. The teasing. The social rejection and teenage angst. We all thought it was the end of the world. William caught the worst of it.

Middle school kids are always trying to avoid being the "freak," so quite often they point out someone who is "different" or "freaky" to improve their own odds. Naturally, my son (with an IQ one point less than genius) was re-named "Retard." He bore the brunt of the bullying and teasing and wore the "kick me" signs for those less different. Try as we did, including a trip in a hot air balloon with one particularly rotten kid, William never really connected with any of those children. As it turns out, their opinion of him didn't matter then, and it doesn't matter now.

Those who matter don't mind:

High school has been a blessing for William. His incredible focus and photographic memory, coupled with his love for research and public speaking have carved a niche for him on his speech and debate team. His peers respect him for what he can do, and admire his ability to get straight A's, even in Advanced Placement (AP) courses. People in our community can see that William is true to who he is. He tells the truth, even if it's not a popular truth, and that earns my son respect.

When I think back on those early days right after William's diagnosis, I remember wanting to cure him. I wanted him to be "normal." Then I read Temple Grandin's book "Thinking in Pictures," and I decided to love everything about William, including his autism. Without it, he wouldn't be the same.

Once after a tough day I asked my dear child, "If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?" confident I knew the answer. He said, "I'd like to be more organized." I smiled. "Yeah, me too," I said.

So, in the actions of my brilliant, faithful, handsome, autistic son and in the words of the late, great Dr. Seuss, “Be who you are, and say what you feel. Because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.”

5 Common Myths about the Autism Spectrum

2010-04-08T09:40:00.000-04:00

Many myths abound about autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Unfortunately, for those unfamiliar with ASDs, it can be difficult to distinguish between fact and fiction. Here are five common myths and the truths behind them.

Myth 1: People on the autism spectrum have no emotions

Fact: This myth is likely the result of many people on the autism spectrum expressing their emotions in atypical manners. Both children and adults on the spectrum experience the same range of emotions and depth of feeling as neurotypicals (people without an ASD). Autistics may laugh when others cry; they may cry when others are happy; they may show no outward sign of emotion, but the feelings are still there. Assuming they have no emotions is very hurtful to an autistic.

Myth 2: People on the autism spectrum are unaware of their surroundings

Fact: Just because an autistic is looking at the floor rather than the people around him doesn’t mean he is unaware of what is going on. Rather, he’s probably focusing on the conversation around him and absorbing every word. Many people on the autism spectrum have few or no filters when it comes to the information they take in. If they were to look at the people involved in a conversation while trying to listen to it, they would likely become distracted by the way a person’s mouth moves, the clothes people are wearing, hairstyles, etc. and miss every word spoken. By focusing on something bland, like the floor, or closing their eyes, it enables them to focus better on the conversation. You just might be surprised by what they have to add to the discussion.

Myth 3: People on the autism spectrum are either mentally handicapped or geniuses

Fact: In reality, people on the autism spectrum have the same range of IQs and in the same ratio as those not on the spectrum. You will find autistics with high IQs and those with low IQs, but the majority will fall somewhere in between.

Myth 4: People on the autism spectrum are lonely

Fact: While this may be true for some, not all autistics crave being the center of attention and surrounded by people most of the time. Many people on the autism spectrum like to be alone. They find it relaxing to not have to try to “fit in” or understand what the people around them might be thinking. It gives them the opportunity to let their minds wander and do what they enjoy. Most people think a solitary life would be torture, but many autistics enjoy it.

Myth 5: People on the autism spectrum cannot work

Fact: Many autistics can and do work. They may not function well in a highly social position, like a cashier at the local supermarket, but they are perfectly capable of working in the right environment. Autistics can be successful in a multitude of jobs, from working in a call center to being a research scientist. Each individual has his own unique abilities and interests which may lend themselves to a long-term career. Others work at whatever job is available that they can handle while looking for a career that involves their interests.

One of the worst things a person can do is to set limitations for people on the autism spectrum. Given a chance, autistics tend to surprise people with their abilities. Yes, autistics are different, but differences are what make the world the wonderful and diverse place it is.

Autism Awareness Guest Blogger: Rebecca West

2010-04-06T00:29:00.001-04:00

The Gift of Autism

by Rebecca West
Special Needs Advisor for Indiana Home Education Network

Two of my five children are on the autism spectrum. Yes they are different, but they are wonderful vibrant people with a lot to offer. My son was diagnosed as a child with Asperger’s. My daughter was not diagnosed until this past fall, but we always knew she was different. The doctors were always coming up with some flakey excuse why they couldn’t diagnose autism and settled for saying she “exhibited autistic-like behaviors.” DUH! We have always treated them as normal and allowed them to be different. Rather than seeing it as a terrible fate and something to be eradicated if possible, we just accepted that was who they were and accepted the differences. They both grew up to be delightful people. Yes, they think differently and have some difficulty with social skills, but they both have a lot to offer.

My son often misses social cues and until you learn to think outside the box can seem somewhat illogical, but he has found his niche as a customer service representative for Verizon Wireless and is doing well. He has difficulty with social gatherings because too many people in a small space make him very uncomfortable and the concept of small talk totally escapes him. He can handle his job because he doesn’t have to deal with people in person and it’s all done with a computer and headset. He does have trouble if you spring anything new on him without warning or suddenly change plans. We learned a long time ago to always tell him in advance what was likely to happen and what to expect in any situation. We also learned to think outside the box in order to understand his perspective. There are times when he gets hung up on a minute detail. As a child, this might have led to a meltdown when we insisted he move on. As an adult he has learned to get past it and move on.

My daughter has difficulty going anywhere because crowds, florescent lights, noise, smells all bother her severely. She has found work online as an editor and final reader for a book publisher and is herself a published author. She is active in several online writer’s groups and has several blogs. She has always been dependable and willing to help in any way needed. She is an intelligent delightful person. Yes, she sometimes has difficulty expressing herself because the words get stuck, but be patient and she can usually manage to say what she is thinking and she is a prolific, gifted writer.

When all five kids get together there are noise, laughter, fun, and lots of philosophical discussions—basically a normal family. A diagnosis of autism is not a death sentence. Focus on what you child can do, not on what they can’t and don’t limit them. Allow them to be as normal as they can. Many autistics have trouble with verbal skills, but don’t assume they lack intelligence. Give them free access to a keyboard or pen and paper and you may just be surprised at what they have to say. Rather than behavior problems being an integral part of autism, they are frequently a symptom of frustration. Talk to your child and find out why they’re frustrated. Meltdowns are not the same as tantrums although they may look very similar.

Many autistics are very sensitive to tastes or smells or textures. They are not being deliberately difficult. They really are severely bothered and unable to cope with whatever it is. This is just one of the differences. Treat them as normal and allow the differences. If an autistic wants to be alone, don’t force them to be sociable. They probably can be made to act completely normal and interact for a prolonged period, but at tremendous emotional cost to them. Autistics can and do succeed and live rich full lives. They bring a fresh perspective in the way they view the world. Learn to listen to them. They just might have something of value to offer. Accept your autistic child, allow them to be who God meant them to be and embrace the difference.

Autism Awareness Month

2010-04-01T00:01:00.000-04:00

April first is more than just April Fool’s Day. It’s also the start of Autism Awareness Month. Therefore, I’m dedicating my blog to raising awareness of autism this month. In addition to some facts about autism and a bit about my own experiences as an autistic, there will be guest bloggers sharing their experiences with autism. A new post will appear every Tuesday and Thursday, and there might be a few random posts on other days, so be sure to check back often.

To kick off this month-long autism blog event, and because Easter is in just a few days, here’s a little information about autism and holidays.

Holidays can be stressful with parties, family gatherings, decorating, and travel. For an autistic it can be even more stressful. In addition to the usual stressors, the normal routine is upset, the house may look different, and being around relatives he hasn’t seen in a while can be overwhelming. But there’s no need to refrain from including an autistic in all of your festivities or change your holiday plans.

To make the transition from everyday routine to holiday festivities as painless as possible, try including your autistic child in the planning if you can. Now, she may not want to help or she may even seem uninterested, but give her the option anyway.

Go over the holiday schedule several times, starting a few days before the first change in routine. You may have to keep reminding the autistic of what is happening when, even in the midst of the holiday celebration.

If you’re going to visit family, talk about who you’re going to see. Reminding an autistic of past family gatherings and even using photographs to help refresh his memory can help make visiting family go much more smoothly.

If you have a special dinner planned, let the autistic help with it. Helping plan the menu or prepare the meal is a great way to help her adjust to the change in eating routine. Allowing her to help decorate for the holiday will help her feel more comfortable with the change in appearance of home.

With all holiday festivities, be sure there’s place for the autistic to escape and de-stress. Regardless of how prepared he is for the dinner, gathering, etc., the change in routine and number of people can still push him to the point of a meltdown. Knowing there’s a quiet place he can go to relax for a little while will go a long way toward helping him enjoy the holiday as much as the rest of the family.

Exercise CAN be fun

2010-03-24T20:20:00.004-04:00

Don't worry, I'm not going to write a treatise on the benefits of having an exercise buddy or how exercise is good for you. I think we've all probably heard that plenty of times. No, I'm going to share something most of you may already know but just hadn't thought of in a while.

As a kid, I spent as much time playing outdoors as possible. In the summer, that meant I was outside for most of the hours between the time I woke up and the time I had to go to bed. As I got older, I did what most kids do: I left a lot of that childhood playtime behind and moved on to more "mature" things.

For the last couple of years, I've read a lot about the necessity of exercise for writers and anyone else who spends a lot of time at the computer. Because I don't like most exercise machines (an exercise bike is about the only thing I'd use) and gym memberships are expensive, I've had to look for other forms of staying in shape.

In the last several months, I've spent a lot of time with my preschool-aged niece and toddler nephew. Obviously, playing with them keeps me moving, but it's also reminded me of all those childhood activities I left behind WAY too long ago. In particular, jump ropes and hula hoops.

My Facebook friends may remember a few jump rope related status updates a few months ago. Well, I still love jumping rope just as much as I did then. I even discovered it's possible to jump rope in the snow. It's a little cold, but when you don't have your own personal gymnasium (or other large indoor area with a high ceiling) you make do. Besides, it's fun to watch the reactions of people driving by when they see an adult jumping rope with a few inches of snow on the ground and more drifting down.

Ever since I reacquainted myself with a jump rope, I've been longing for my other favorite apparatus from childhood: a hula hoop. I finally bought one today and I love it. Every time I set it down, I want to pick it up and get it spinning again. I can already tell my abdominal muscles are going to hate me, but no pain no gain, right?

So, even though my forms of exercise aren't what most adults think of as exercise, they really do have health benefits. There are several articles online about how good jumping rope is for people of all ages. Even though I haven't looked up resources on hula hoops, I can tell you from experience it can get your heart pumping. Plus, hula hooping and jumping rope are just plain fun. They also fit my personality perfect. Since I'm a big kid anyway, I can't think of a better way to get and stay in shape than to take up the childhood activities that kept me moving.

Now, a question for you. What is your favorite form of exercise?

PSA...sort of

2010-03-18T01:02:00.002-04:00

Due to spammers, I've had to put all comments on this blog on moderation. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and will do my best to approve comments quickly.

Also, if you're interested in guest blogging about autism during the month of April, please let me know ASAP. Check out this post for more information, and if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

This 'n' That

2010-03-12T10:47:00.003-05:00

Things have been busy around here since I last posted, which is why I'm late posting this week. Here's a brief rundown of the excitement (and yes, some of it is pretty exciting!).

The most exciting piece of news is that I received a release date for Riley's Mission! My very first romantic suspense will be available from The Wild Rose Press April 7. Yes, that's a little less than a month from now, but it seems like such a long wait for my "baby" to make its debut in the world. Ah, well, I have plenty to keep me busy in the meantime, including working on more writing projects.

Which brings me to another exciting thing. I submitted a query for a sequel to Riley's Mission to my editor. Now I'm in the nail-biting, "Will she like it?" waiting period. Of course, if she likes the sound of the story, then I have to submit the manuscript and do a little more nail biting. I don't mind too much, however, since every submission brings the story one step closer to publication.

More writing-related news. I started a new job writing articles. While it can be difficult to write some of the topics, I'm enjoying the job and it works well with the odd hours I sometimes keep. What other job would allow me to work at noon or two in the morning (or both) depending on the kind of day I'm having? The people who say self-employment/freelance work is great for autistics are so right. Without the flexibility I have with this job, I wouldn't do nearly as well.

Speaking of autism, I'm still looking for guest bloggers for the month of April. If you're interested in writing a post with a positive spin on autism, you can find the details of my blogging plan for Autism Awareness Month here.

And now for the totally off-the-wall bit of news. I successfully crocheted a coat for my shih tzu. Yes, I'm now one of those people who puts clothes on her small dog. He's so adorable in his black and tan coat with a big red button on the side! I needed some way to secure the strap that goes behind his front legs, and with his penchant for getting into things when outside, the button will work better than Velcro. Why did I make a coat for him, you ask? So I can get his fur trimmed in cold weather without having to worry about him freezing when he goes outside. He's a shaggy little fella right now, and I'd like to get his usual warm-weather haircut so he looks a little more sophisticated, which if you knew my dog would make you laugh. He's like the little human boy who can get his dress clothes muddy without ever leaving his chair.

I also learned something sad in the last couple of days. I live in an affordable cotton yarn wasteland...or maybe that should be a yarn wasteland. There are precisely two yarn shops listed in my current phone book, and one of them went out of business a year or so ago. The other one is open two afternoons a week. I know there are a ton of knitters and crocheters in my area; I've met several of them and heard about many more. Where do they get their yarn? My best guess is that they either buy whatever yarn is available at the local craft stores (there are at least three that I know for sure are still in business), but I have to wonder if they order their yarn online, which is what I'm going to have to do. Out of the single yarn shop and three or so craft stores in my area, not one of them carries either of the two affordable brands of cotton yarn I'm looking for. I found a website that carries both of them, so I'm stuck paying shipping. The sad thing is, even with the shipping costs, it will still be more affordable than the only worsted weight cotton yarn I could buy locally.

All that's left to say is, Happy Friday! I hope you all have a great weekend and be sure to celebrate what's left of E-book Week with a good read. Shameless promotion alert! I happen to have two ebooks available at affordable prices. If you're looking for a quick read in the mystery genre, why not check out Light in the Darkness? Or if inspirational romance is more your style, try Dreams Do Come True.

Enjoy your weekend!

Call for Guest Bloggers

2010-03-01T11:06:00.001-05:00

I’ve had Autism Awareness Month on my mind since shortly after the first of the year. I know it’s not until April, but the autism spectrum is never far from my mind, since I live it every day. Why am I bringing this up now? Simple. I plan to devote the entire month of April on this blog to raising awareness about what autism really is. As part of this goal, I’m seeking guest bloggers.

From years past, I know April will be flooded with negative things about autism spectrum disorders, calls for a cure (which many autistics, myself included, do NOT want), horror stories about how much the family suffers, myths about what people on the spectrum feel (or don’t feel, depending on the myth), etc. What I want to do is give people a look at the positive side of the autism spectrum, the things that make us unique, our special talents, success stories, etc. The difficulties faced by those on the spectrum and how you or a loved one overcame them is a great topic as well. I’m hoping by devoting April to autism, the guest bloggers and I can raise awareness about the reality of autism.

Let’s raise awareness of the side of autism that tends to be ignored, the side that proves autism isn’t a horrible disease that brings a halt to a person’s ability to live a fulfilling life. Let’s show the world we like who we are and that a diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder isn’t a death sentence.

Are you on the autism spectrum or married to someone who is? Do you have kids who are on the spectrum? Close friends or colleagues? If so, and you’re interested in writing a guest post for Autism Awareness Month, please email me at authoreawest AT gmail DOT com. Be sure to put “Autism Awareness Guest” in the subject line.

What's In Your Closet? by Rhonda Gibson and Stacy Baron

2010-02-25T23:56:00.007-05:00

Title: What's In Your Closet?

Author: Rhonda Gibson & Stacy Baron

Publisher: White Rose Publishing

Book Description:

Emily isn’t looking for love. In fact, it’s the last thing on the young widow’s mind. She’s vowed to focus solely on her daughter. With Megan’s hearing impairment, the toddler has enough to deal with without Emily bringing a new man into the picture—one who undoubtedly wouldn’t be patient with a deaf child not his own.

David doesn’t think he’s looking for love—until he meets Emily. The woman is beautiful inside and out and has a streak of determination that’s matched only by the love she pours out to her adorable daughter. But Emily won’t have anything to do with him outside of his home-decorating project…that is, until she finds an old skeleton in his closet.

Never before has finding skeletons in the closet been a good thing, but solving the mystery of David’s skeleton may just be the blessing that convinces Emily to love him forever.

Review:

Young widow and mother Emily Stuart is afraid of getting hurt if she allows a man into her life. She’s even more afraid of her three-year-old daughter, Megan, getting hurt. Because of that fear, she has resigned herself to life alone, at least until Megan is an adult.

David Whitmore recently left Arizona and the high pressure business world to buy an old farm in Oklahoma. When he hires Emily to redo the interior of his new house, he gets more than remodeling in the bargain.

As Emily works on the farmhouse, she and David discover an attraction for each other that neither is willing to admit or even accept. The discovery of a skeleton in a hidden kitchen pantry brings them together as they work to solve the mystery behind it. Though Emily finally admits David has become a friend, fear still prevents her from considering him as anything else. David respects her decision to remain only friends, but he can’t stop his attraction to this beautiful lady with an equally beautiful daughter—both of whom steal his heart no matter how closely he tries to guard it.

Throughout the book, vivid descriptions bring the characters and the story to life, making the reader a participant to the story. A lively cast of secondary characters just adds to the richness of the story. The Christian elements are included in a realistic way that encourages without preaching. With each page, I found myself hoping Emily and David would find a way to get together, and that they would solve the mystery of the skeleton in the closet.

This is a book I recommend to anyone who loves a sweet romance and an intriguing mystery. Though the authors are new to me, I would definitely read more of their books.

Disclaimer: I received a free uncorrected ARC of this book from the publisher. All opinions stated in this review are my own and based solely on the contents of the ARC and my experience reading it.

New cover!

2010-02-10T00:01:00.001-05:00

I am so excited! My romantic suspense coming from The Wild Rose Press has a cover! Check out the shiny new cover for Riley's Mission (release information to be announced when I get it):

A huge thank you on a job well done goes to Nicola Martinez, who designed the cover. I couldn't be happier with it!

Now, I know I have talked a lot about Riley's Mission on here, mainly because my life borders on insane most days. For those of you who can't wait to find out what the story is about, here's the blurb:

Trapped in a flooded hospital, former Israeli operative Jade Rosen discovers she’s not alone. One of the other stranded patients is none other than the cold-blooded killer she'd left behind in a Syrian prison, the man who'd forced her to leave everyone she loved behind and go into hiding.

Indiana National Guardsman Riley Jackson is on a mission to locate and contain a cunning terrorist whose guards aren’t responding. He finds more than he bargained for when the woman he loves appears out of nowhere, desperately ill and once again needing his protection.

Will Jade and Riley finally find their happy ending, or will they pay the ultimate price at the hands of a man determined to see Jade dead?

Curious yet? I hope so! My lovely editor, Laura Kelly, did an amazing job of taking my okay blurb and making it wonderful. Thank you, Laura!

As soon as I receive a release date for Riley's Mission, I'll post it here. Until then, I hope you all have a great week!

Kittens and Picture Books

2010-02-03T10:05:00.005-05:00

Yesterday, my genius kitten tossed a plastic tumbler of iced tea to the floor and somehow managed to break out a big piece of the bottom. I still haven't found that piece. Thanks to this amazing effort by him, I briefly nicknamed him the wonder twit. By the time I finished cleaning up the puddle of tea, I'd decided that wasn't a very nice nickname, so I changed it to the wonder kitten, because it's a wonder he's making it out of kittenhood without doing serious damage to himself or anyone/anything else.

Being the writer I am, the name Sergei the Wonder Kitten got me thinking about books. The name just begs for a picture book series by the same title, and Sergei in all of his mischievous wisdom gives me plenty of fodder for stories. Thinking about basing a series of picture books on my own cat also reminded me of Jan Karon's Mitford series. In those books, the character Cynthia writes and illustrates picture books about a white cat named Violet. Of course, she replaces her pet Violet as necessary. If I do write a series about Sergei the Wonder Kitten, I'm not sure if I could ever replace the little guy with another black cat named Sergei. He's one of a kind, which is probably for the best given the mischief he gets into and creates.

So, here I am in the midst of edits on one story, three manuscripts I'm determined to rewrite, another story I'm close to typing "The End" on, and I'm thinking about writing a picture book series. Am I crazy? Of course, but I've said for years that if you're not crazy when you go into the publishing industry, you will be soon.

The real question is one I'll pose to you, the readers. If you saw a picture book series called Sergei the Wonder Kitten, would you read it to or buy it for the kids in your life? Or if you're like me and love picture books, read it for the fun of it?

The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen

2010-01-28T22:50:00.004-05:00

Title: The Silent Governess

Author: Julie Klassen

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Book Description:

Olivia Keene is fleeing her own secret. She never intended to overhear his.

But now that she has, what is Lord Bradley to do with her? He cannot let her go, for were the truth to get out, he would lose everything--his reputation, his inheritance, his very home.

He gives Miss Keene little choice but to accept a post at Brightwell Court, where he can make certain she does not spread what she heard. Keeping an eye on the young woman as she cares for the children, he finds himself drawn to her, even as he struggles against the growing attraction. The clever Miss Keene is definitely hiding something.

Moving, mysterious, and romantic, The Silent Governess takes readers inside the intriguing life of a nineteenth-century governess in an English manor house where all is not as it appears.

Review:

The Silent Governess is a wonderful story of love and trust, misunderstandings and secrets set in Regency era England. As Olivia Keene seeks to put as much distance as possible between herself and the terrible secret she hopes to leave behind, she inadvertently eavesdrops on a conversation between Lord Bradley and his father, the Earl of Brightwell, and learns Lord Bradley has a dangerous secret of his own. An unfortunate mistake leads to a throat injury that temporarily renders Miss Keene mute. Lord Bradley, fearing Miss Keene will reveal his secret either in writing or once she regains the ability to speak, gives her no choice but to accept a post as under nurse on his estate.

It doesn’t take long for the reader to learn someone is threatening to reveal Lord Bradley’s secret. The mystery of who is behind the plot against him carries throughout much of the book, as does Miss Keene’s fear of her own secret being revealed. Another theme running through the book is the attraction between Lord Bradley and Miss Keene. Since a relationship between a lord and a servant is not a viable option, they both must fight their feelings. An element of faith is intertwined with the story, and occasional conversations with the vicar prod everyone in the right direction.

A well-developed cast of secondary characters, including a crusty old gamekeeper; a wonderful command of Regency-era English; and the right amount of description bring this story to life. Julie Klassen has done an amazing job of giving readers a glimpse back in time to the difficulties faced by the different classes in early 1800s England. I highly recommend The Silent Governess for anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book through the Bethany House Book Reviewers program. All opinions stated in this review are my own and based solely on the contents of this book and my experience reading it.

One Lovely Blog Award

2010-01-20T11:44:00.001-05:00

Thank you fellow authors Anne Patrick and Danielle Thorne for giving my blog this award!

Now that I've accepted this lovely award, I have the honor and privilege of passing it on to others. Here are the rules:

Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link. Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you enjoy. (Okay, so 15 can be a lot to come up with! Pass it on to as many bloggers as you can, up to 15. I'm passing it on to 9.) Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

And so, I pass this award on to these truly deserving blogs. I hope you will check each one of them out!

Miss Mae

Robin Shope

Judah Raine

Sharon Donovan

Marianne Evans

Ashley Ludwig

Laurean Brooks

The Lovestruck Novice

Hywela Lyn

Small talk...or not

2010-01-13T19:56:00.010-05:00

Okay, I've admitted a few times on here that I'm autistic, and for some reason that always surprises everyone. I have no idea why, but apparently to the Internet world I'm not at all different or weird. It's nice to be accepted as is and not have to pretend to be someone different to fit in, but I feel the need to confess to the occasional lack of small talk ability. What does that have to do with interaction on the Internet?

Trust me, a lot of groups I belong to thrive on small talk, just like any group of people in "real life." I enjoy reading the exchanges (it also helps me write more realistic characters) and sometimes I join the written small talk. A lot of times, however, I know I ought to respond somehow, but I have no idea what to say. While I'm trying to figure it out, days can pass. By the time I have something to add to the conversation, the topic has changed and I remain silent, which is what happens in the non-virtual world as well.

I know, you're probably thinking, "It's email groups/forums/etc. That stuff hangs around forever. Why not go ahead and respond, even if it is a week or more later?" The simple answer? The real world has me too well trained. In face-to-face interactions, there have been way too many times I've finally added something to the conversation several minutes after the topic has moved on and received strange looks, expressions of annoyance, or (the worst) brought the conversation to a complete halt and people suddenly have something else to do. I can't shake the feeling that when I respond late to a topic when the group is already on a different topic, the other groups members are sitting at their own computers wondering what I was thinking for trying to keep a closed subject open. Goofy fear on my part, I know, but that's the way it is.

My only excuse for small talk difficulties, whether online or not, is that people on the spectrum are known for problems with social interaction. Within five or ten minutes of meeting me in person, people rarely have any trouble believing I have an ASD (autism spectrum disorder). But as I've said before, the Internet is a great equalizer. I have plenty of time to think about how to say what I want to say, and I can revise it before sending if I need to. I also don't have to worry about stumbling over words or the words getting stuck somewhere between my brain and my mouth, because I don't have to verbalize my thoughts. I do it all through written word, which is the easiest way for me to convey my thoughts. The only drawback (aside from brain freeze in chat rooms) is the whole "small talk overwhelms me at times" thing.

To stay marginally on topic, I ran across a comic today that describes me perfectly on some days:

EDIT: It appears this comic may or may not show fully thanks to my blog design. If you have trouble seeing the full image, you can find the original here.

There's nothing like trying to figure out how much information to give, how to best describe how you're doing, etc. in a split second. Thankfully, most of the time I feel kind of like Pavlov's dogs. The question "How are you?" is my bell and my automatic response is, "Fine," regardless of the dozen or so ways I could answer. I know a conditioned response like that doesn't sound like something to be thankful for, but it's a whole lot less awkward than the long, likely rambling answer I would otherwise give about how I am.

Will I ever fully overcome my troubles with small talk? I seriously doubt it. For one thing, I get bored easily with conversations that go nowhere. Plus, my brain just doesn't think "chitchat" most of the time. I can usually fake it pretty well, but most of the time I definitely prefer deeper conversations...you know, the ones that do more than fill silence.

Okay, reading that last paragraph makes me wonder just how snarky people will find it, but I didn't mean it in a snarky way at all. That's just the way I see it. I'm sure there are others who enjoy small talk, and I admire you for the ability to chitchat with ease. Differences in personalities keep the world an interesting place to live.

On a side note, I'll be chatting with The Sweetest Romance Authors all day Thursday, January 14, at the Coffee Time Romance forum. Be sure to stop by and leave a comment or two! Even though I'm not that great at small talk, I always enjoy the chance to chat with readers and other authors.

Blackout by Jason Elam and Steve Yohn

2010-01-04T20:49:00.004-05:00

Title: Blackout

Author: Jason Elam and Steve Yohn

Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers

Book Description:

Riley Covington is still reeling from his father’s brutal murder when he learns he’s been traded. Meanwhile, the counterterrorism division has detected a plot to detonate electromagnetic pulse bombs that could leave the U.S. without power, communications, and transportation—right down to dropping planes out of the sky. CTD scrambles to stop the attacks, but they run out of time. Amid the fallout, Riley, Scott, Skeeter, and CTD must regroup to make sure the second bomb doesn’t reach its destination.

Review:

I have mixed feelings on Blackout. The first half of the story didn’t feel like a thriller at all. Riley Covington, the title character of the series, didn’t play as big a role as expected and his main purpose appeared to be remembering the past and playing football. In my opinion as a reader, the first half of the book could have been condensed into just a few chapters and kept the tension of the story high, rather than taking over a hundred and fifty pages and making me wonder if the “thriller” part of this Riley Covington Thriller would ever start.

The second half of the book, however, was an amazing ride of suspense. It was everything I hope for in a thriller and had an awesome storyline. Electromagnetic pulse bombs aren’t something I’ve seen done to death in fiction, and the glimpse of the devastation an EMP bomb would cause was both fascinating and frightening. Once the story picked up, I couldn’t put the book down. I was drawn into the story and found myself rooting for the good guys and rejoicing when the bad guys took a blow. I came away fully satisfied with the second half of the book.

If you don’t mind a slow start to an exciting story, you might enjoy Blackout. But if you’re like me and prefer a thriller that’s suspenseful from beginning to end, this may not be the book for you.

I received a free ARC of this book through the Tyndale Blog Network. All opinions stated in this review are my own and based solely on my experience reading this book.

New Year, New Challenges...

2010-01-01T14:56:00.003-05:00

Happy New Year!

2009 was filled with joy and sadness, excitement and concerns. Overall, it was a good year for me, particularly in terms of writing. My first ebook, Dreams Do Come True, was published by White Rose Publishing. A few short months later, I had received my second ebook contract and Light in the Darkness was released from Sea Crest eBooks. The end of the year was particularly exciting. On Christmas Eve, I received a contract from The Wild Rose Press for my third ebook, this time a romantic suspense. Look for more information on that story (including the final title) later. On New Year's Eve, I received the first round of edits on my newly contracted story.

While I have a lot of work to do in terms of edits, what better way for an author to start a year than with a brand new contract?

So, what is my New Year's resolution? Predictably enough, it involves writing. My main resolution is to get promotion under control and planned out so it doesn't take over my life or intimidate me to the point I don't do it at all. I had both things happen in 2009, and I know it was a direct result of not getting organized. 2010 is my year to figure out a promotion plan that works for me and that I can stick to without sacrificing too much writing time. My other writing goals involve actual writing. I hope to write and publish short fiction for magazines. I also plan to work on three romantic suspense stories I have in mind (one of which is already half written!), and I am going to finish my inspirational time-travel romance. This may not sound like much to some people, but this short list is going to keep me very busy this year.

Did I meet my 2009 goals? No. I was too ambitious with them and was unable to accomplish all I had hoped to do. This year's goals may be a bit ambitious as well, but I can always adjust them later if necessary. I like having a challenge, however, and meeting my goals for 2010 will definitely challenge me.

What about you? Did you meet your 2009 goals? What goals do you have for 2010?

Holiday Gifts...

2009-12-16T11:13:00.009-05:00

If you're anything like me, you're asking yourself what to give people for Christmas. I'm crocheting a LOT of gifts, and I plan to make cookies as well, but there are still one or two I'm thinking about. If I had the money, I'd probably give ereaders as gifts. I am an ebook author, after all. :)

Seriously, ebooks are so prevalent now and the trend toward electronic publishing is growing, so ereaders are a good investment, in my mind. With a wide selection from the Sony Reader, to the Barnes and Noble nook, to the Amazon Kindle and beyond, there's an ereader for everyone out there. If you're interested in trying to win a free Kindle II, Bibliofreakblog is giving one away this Friday, December 18.

And if your loved ones already have ereaders (or you're like me and can't afford to give them as gifts), ebooks can be read on your computer, PDA, Blackberry, and some cell phones. What does this mean? Ebooks are a great gift as well, and they're affordable. They're also widely available from publishers and from distribution sites like Fictionwise and OmniLit.

Now for a little shameless self-promotion. :)

As I mentioned before, I am an ebook author. If you know someone who loves inspirational romance, check out Dreams Do Come True from White Rose Publishing:

Blurb:
Aspiring author Cassie Teague has been rejected…again. As she considers giving up her dream of getting published, a handsome editor walks into her life and makes her wonder if God has more in store for her than just writing.

Acquisitions editor David Jameson wants more than just Cassie’s book. But will office politics destroy his hope for the future?

"The characters are likeable and the story very believable...The writing is smooth and easy and the spiritual message is not at all preachy. The elements work together to make this a lovely, quick, uplifting read." ~ MarthaE, Reviews by Martha's Bookshelf

"If you need a little pick me up or some inspiration, please read this...This would be a great story to give to friends and family. You will not be disappointed in purchasing this work of art." ~ Roberta, You Gotta Read Reviews

And if you know someone who prefers mysteries, why not give them a copy of Light in the Darkness from Sea Crest eBooks:

Blurb:
Kennedy Drake loves exploring dark places, which makes his job as a graveyard shift security guard ideal. While checking out strange noises in his elderly neighbor’s basement, he discovers a hidden room with a woman trapped inside. Chastity Mooreland has more to fear than her time trapped in darkness. Will Kennedy believe her bizarre tale of a stalker no one thinks is guilty—and will he help free her from a life of despair? Can Chastity look past her suspicion of mankind to accept his offer of friendship?

"I found Light in the Darkness a short sweet story." ~ Brynna Curry, You Gotta Read Reviews

"This book reminded me how much we need to care for our fellow human being. Nice, short read." ~ Readers Favorite

Happy holidays!

The Rose Legacy by Kristen Heitzmann

2009-12-09T13:57:00.006-05:00

Title: The Rose Legacy, Diamond of the Rockies Book 1

Author: Kristen Heitzmann

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Book Description:

If he wants her, let him come and prove it.

Fleeing her idyllic home in Sonoma, California, Carina Maria DiGratia journeys to the mining town of Crystal, Colorado. Clinging to hopes of a new life, she finds reality has a harsh welcome for her. Overrun with men seeking their fortune and women bound by circumstance, the town hosts both dreams and nightmares, with little surety for tomorrow. But at least here Carina is far from the betrayal that still pierces her heart.

Early on, two men vie for her trust, but neither is what he seems. Will Carina discern the truth and confront the turmoil hidden in her own heart in time to prevent tragedy?

Review:

Carina DiGratia is naïve, hot-tempered, and impulsive. The daughter of a respected Italian doctor who served a king, she’s used to getting her way, and it doesn’t take long to see she’d sheltered, spoiled, and ill-suited to life in a rough and tumble mining town.

Quillan Shepard is a freighter and the classic wounded hero. Nothing has come easy for him; life has battered him, his past is a shadowy mystery, and he has no interest in anything remotely romantic...unless you count his penchant for reading poetry and other books.

Then there’s Berkley Beck, Crystal, Colorado’s slick attorney. He’s suave, well-groomed, and takes gallantry to a whole new level. His inability to organize his office appears, at first, to be his only downside, and Carina fixes that soon enough.

Ms. Heitzmann brings her characters and an 1880 Colorado mining town to life with vivid descriptions and true-to-life dialogue. The cast of characters does a wonderful job of capturing the essence of the superstitious mindset, wild behavior, and loyalty of the mining camps and towns in the 1880s. Adventure, intrigue, suspicion, and the characters’ varying degrees of faith keep readers engaged and draw them into the story.

While the story is good and the writing magnificent, I must admit that the characters felt a bit overdone at times. Carina acted like a spoiled child for much of the book, and every time she showed signs of sucking up the hardships and carrying on with grace, she ranted either verbally or in her thoughts. However, she did grow throughout the story and eventually became the kind of strong Christian woman I kept hoping to see. Quillan started out dark and brooding, and he stayed that way to the end. Except for his occasional memories of his childhood and his thoughts of admiration and caring for an old miner, the insight into his past and him as a man came through the other characters. And finally, Berkley Beck. His actions fit his personality and the story well. Full of secrets hidden beneath a façade of respectability and smooth etiquette, he kept me guessing as to his true motives for a good portion of the book.

Although I enjoyed the story and found myself rejoicing and hurting along with the characters, I was disappointed by the ending. I love happy endings, but the end of this book if far from happy. There is a glimmer of hope that things will improve in book two of the Diamond of the Rockies series, but I still feel a little disappointed that The Rose Legacy ended the way it did.

If you’re looking for a good historical novel that does an amazing job of bringing an 1880 mining town to life and shows characters realistically struggling with their faith, I suggest reading The Rose Legacy. But be prepared to read the next book in the series. The end of The Rose Legacy leaves readers hanging and wondering how things turn out for Carina.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book through the Bethany House Book Reviewers program. All opinions stated in this review are my own and based solely on the contents of this book and my experience reading it.

Cool Contest...

2009-12-04T12:04:00.003-05:00

I recently stumbled across an awesome contest on Bibliofreakblog.com called The Great Kindle Giveaway. J.T. Oldfield, owner of Bibliofreakblog, is giving away a Kindle II on December 18. However, there could be more Kindles being given away. Check out what J.T. has to say (straight from the giveaway post):

More Kindles: The Great Kindle Giveaway starts with 1 Kindle, but I have 15 in total. As you’ve probably noticed, Bibliofreakblog has links to Amazon on the sidebar and in posts. If you click one of these links right before you make a purchase, I make a commission. It doesn’t matter if you buy the book I’ve reviewed or something else entirely (TVs, games, DVDs, Kindle books, anything). For every $259 in commissions I make, I’ll release another Kindle into the drawing. It doesn’t cost you any extra to do this, and it really helps me make this blog possible. Think of it as a mitzvah, and another way to increase your chances of winning a Kindle, because the more in the offering, the more likely you are to get one.

For more information on The Great Kindle Giveaway and complete rules on how to enter, visit this post on Bibliofreakblog. Good luck!

Eyes of Elisha by Brandilyn Collins

2009-11-30T11:31:00.003-05:00

Title: Eyes of Elisha

Author: Brandilyn Collins

Publisher: Zondervan

Book Description:

The murder was ugly.

The killer was sure no one saw him.

Someone did.

In a horrifying vision, Chelsea Adams has relived the victim’s last moments. But who will believe her? Certainly not the police, who must rely on hard evidence. Nor her husband, who barely tolerates Chelsea’s newfound Christian faith. Besides, he’s about to hire the man who Chelsea is certain is the killer to be a vice president in his company.

Torn between what she knows and the burden of proof, Chelsea must follow God’s leading and trust him for protection. Meanwhile, the murderer is at liberty. And he’s not about to take Chelsea’s involvement lying down.

Review:

This is an awesome story of God’s faithfulness and mercy even in the darkest of times.

Chelsea Adams, a young Christian, has received the gift of visions. While her past visions were fairly innocuous, the newest visions God gives her sends her on a frightening journey of discovering a murder victim and learning just how essential it is to wait on God rather than relying on her own strength and wisdom.

Police Sergeant Dan Reiger is also a Christian and has been in law enforcement long enough to see a little of everything. When Chelsea walks into his office and tells him of her vision containing details of a murder no one has reported yet, he isn’t quite sure what to do. He’s never dealt with a vision from God before. Chelsea’s strong faith makes him take a hard look at his own Christianity and he doesn’t like everything he sees about the way he’s handled it...especially in not sharing his faith with others.

There is also a cast of non-Christian characters, from Reiger’s partner Detective Pat Turnbow to Chelsea’s husband Paul to the prime suspect in the murder case. Each of them and others must face God’s power and the fallibility of even the most faithful Christians.

Eyes of Elisha takes the reader on a roller coaster ride of suspense and faith. Ms. Collins has written an amazing tale of a Christian woman struggling with the gift God has given her, and the struggles her family faces because of it, but never once does Chelsea doubt God’s love and mercy. Instead, each character in the story learns something through this vision and some develop a closer relationship with God. The twists and turns in this story keep the reader guessing, and the vivid descriptions bring the story to life.

I highly recommend Eyes of Elisha to anyone who loves suspense. It’s also a great read for those looking for a realistic portrayal of Christians trying to live out the plan God has for their lives.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book through a giveaway on the author’s blog. Though I promised to review the story, I made no promise as to whether the review would be good. All opinions stated in this review are my own and based solely on the contents of the book and my experience reading it.

Think Autism, Think Different

2009-11-18T13:03:00.003-05:00

I've been thinking about autism a lot lately, mainly because in the last few months I finally decided to give seeking an official diagnosis one last chance. It was a highly emotional process, one that alternately drained me and made me hyper for weeks, but I did finally receive a diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder. Since receiving that report (which made me laugh in several places because these supposed oddities have been a normal part of my life forever), I've been trying to figure out what happens now. I have a paper to prove I'm autistic, but what do I do with it? Shove it in a drawer and move on? Frame it and hang it on the wall as evidence of my lifelong struggle to get an official diagnosis?

Within the last couple of weeks, I decided to put that diagnosis to good use. Up to now, I've never had any kind of credibility to write about autism or write autistic characters. I don't have any kind of degree, I don't work with people on the spectrum all the time, and even though I was self-diagnosed (and had several people agree with that self-diagnosis) that didn't prove to anyone that I know what I'm talking about. Thanks to that official diagnosis, I now have the confidence to speak out about a topic that my family is probably sick of hearing me talk about: curing autism.

Warning! The remainder of this post is likely to anger some people. I apologize if you're offended. Curing autism is a controversial topic with people on both sides of the issue feeling strongly about it. My views are not what the media tend to focus on, but they are shared by many other autistics. Feel free to comment at the end of the post whether you agree or disagree, but please keep your comments clean. Foul language or personal attacks will make me seriously consider deleting the comment.

Okay, back to the post.

As I've said, I am autistic. Autism is not a disease, scourge, or even a terrible tragedy in a lot of cases. Autism is a different way of life. Personally, I don't want to be "cured" of autism, mainly because there's nothing to cure. Autism is a huge part of who I am, what makes me...well, me. A lot of autistics feel the same way, including those who are high-functioning and live independently and those who are non-verbal and need someone to help with basic needs. We are not miserable because of autism. Actually, I find autism fun a lot of times because it allows me to see things in ways neurotypicals likely don't.

Note I said "neurotypical" and not "normal." Honestly, I detest comparisons between autistics and "normal" people, becuase it implies there's something wrong with me. There's nothing wrong with me; I'm not broken or in need of a cure. I'm different, plain and simple. Diversity is a great thing. It makes the world the exciting, interesting place it is. It's also the way God designed it. Diversity in race, religion, creed, etc. is widely accepted and encouraged. Now the world needs to focus on and accept neurodiversity. My favorite way of describing autism is that my brain is wired funny. That's really the only logical way I can describe a neurological difference, which is all autism is.

All of this explains why I get annoyed when people call for a cure for autism. The majority of those people are neurotypicals. Many of them have children on the spectrum or know someone who does. But I have to wonder how many of them have actually communicated with their child, either verbally or through some other means like a computer or sign language. Many autistics have spoken out, through writing and verbally, against curing autism. I have to agree with those who equate curing autism with a death sentence for autistics. The best way I can explain it is to offer an example.

As I've said, autism is a way of life and a huge part of who I am. Curing autism, taking it away, would turn my world upside down. It would be like "curing" a neurotypical of having a sense of humor or a left-handed person of being left-handed. It doesn't make much sense, does it? So why do people persist in calling for an autism cure?

I can understand wanting to teach autistics how to cope better in the world and helping them live as independently as possible. I'm all for it. But that doesn't "cure" autism. It just teaches them life skills...the same as every other child has to learn. The big issue here is acceptance. Do you accept autistics and all their differences or do you pity us for something the majority of us embrace?

This leads me to the "charitable" organization Autism Speaks. Let me say right here, Autism Speaks does NOT speak for me or any other autistic. Their literature, commercials, PSAs, etc. make it clear they don't support autistics. They call for getting rid of autism, blame autism for marital problems, and basically imply that autism is a scourge on society. It gives me chills just thinking about the way they make it clear they hate autism. They don't appear to like autistics much better. Watch the PSA they put out not long ago titled "I am Autism" and try to view it from the persepctive of an autistic, someone who views autism as inseparable from their identity. I think you'll understand why that video made me cry and want to put a stop to the hate this organization is spreading. For another perspective on the "I am Autism" PSA, check out this video (also called "I am Autism"). There area remarkably few edits to the Autism Speaks script, which makes the Autism Speaks message all the more chilling.

Last year, Autism Speaks recieved more than sixty-five million dollars. The president of this supposedly charitable organization was paid over four hundred thousand dollars. The chief science officer was paid over half a million dollars. Those are ridiculous salaries for people working for a non-profit organization. Half a million dollars is definitely profitable. For a simple break down of where the 2008 money went, check out this video. If you prefer looking at detailed tax forms, here's one on the Autism Speaks website.

As far as I can tell, very few actual autistics are helped by Autism Speaks or involved in running it. In fact, the organization was asked why there aren't any autistics on the board. The response? Autism Speaks feels it would be "inappropriate" to have anyone on the spectrum helping run the organization.

How on earth is an autistic helping run an organization called Autism Speaks "inappropriate"?

This organization has also been known to sue or threaten to sue autistics who speak out against them or parody anything they produce. The saddest example of this I've come across to date is a 14-year-old girl on the spectrum who created a site called NT Speaks. It was a parody of the Autism Speaks site, and therefore perfectly legal since parodies are protected by law, but Autism Speaks sent a letter to this girl threatening to sue her. This letter scared her so much she took her site down and destroyed the code behind it. Autism Speaks had no legal leg to stand on, since what she'd done was legal, but that didn't stop them from throwing their corporate weight around to scare a teenager.

It wouldn't surprise me if I get a letter threatening to sue me for libel because of this post, but I feel it necessary to warn anyone who wants to help autistics that the autistic community is not helped by Autism Speaks. As a member of the autistic community, I actually feel rather threatened by this huge, frightening organization that claims to be speaking for us while doing us a great disservice by perpetuating myths about autsim.

There are a great many autistics writing about their experiences, opinions, etc. all over the internet. If you want a true view of autism from people who live it every single day of their lives, I'd recommend checking out Autistics.org, Aspies for Freedom, the Autism Self Advocacy Network, or any of the myriad blogs and personal websites maintained by autistics. Be warned, you may not like what you find, but you can be assured they're the true views and opinions of real autistics.

The Official Chuck Norris Fact Book by Chuck Norris

2009-11-04T00:05:00.006-05:00

Title: The Official Chuck Norris Fact Book
Author: Chuck Norris
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers

Book Description:

Hundreds of thousands of humorous Chuck Norris facts have been published, traveled around the globe via the Internet, and gained an international audience of millions. Chuck Norris facts are a quirky, extremely popular Internet phenomenon that has entertained fans from all over the globe. In the last several years, Chuck Norris has been asked repeatedly from the heartland of America to the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan, “Which facts are your favorites?” For the first time ever, in The Official Chuck Norris Fact Book, Chuck gives readers not only his favorite “facts,” roundhouse-kicked by the man himself, but also the stories behind the facts and the code by which Chuck lives his life. Fans from every corner of the globe will enjoy both the fanciful and inspirational from one of the world’s great action heroes. This book makes a perfect gift.

Review:

The Official Chuck Norris Fact Book is a fun book, but it also gives a great deal of insight into the man behind the fact phenomenon. Each of the 101 Chuck Norris Facts in the book is supplemented by a true story from Chuck Norris himself. After that bit of trivia is a quote pertaining to the story, and the end of each entry gives the corresponding core value from Chuck’s Code--Norris’ five core values he lives by: Freedom, Family, Fitness, Faith, and Fight--and a sentence or two that goes with it.

Throughout the book, Norris offers opinions and trivia on everything from his movie career to his family to nutrition. The reader comes away with a greater understanding of Norris’ deep-seated Christianity, his patriotism, his support of the military, and his belief that people must work not only to improve themselves but the world around them as well.

The humor in this book had me laughing many times, but Norris also touched on some topics that hit home and made me see things I could improve in my own life. I was particularly impressed with his openness about his failures as well as his successes. His belief that everyone has the opportunity to change their corner of the world is inspiring, especially since the stories in this book show how one person can make a huge difference in the lives of countless people. The many reminders that God sees each of us as His own special creation and has a plan for each and every one of us are uplifting. I highly recommend The Official Chuck Norris Fact Book for anyone looking for a book that leaves the reader with hope for a better world and a better relationship with God and family.

I received a complimentary copy of this book as a member of the Tyndale Blog Network. Although I received a free copy of this book, the opinions expressed in this review are based solely on the contents of the book and were in no way influenced by the way I acquired the book.

The Secret of Indigo Moon by G.P. Taylor

2009-10-11T12:36:00.004-04:00

Title: The Dopple Ganger Chronicles, Book II: The Secret of Indigo Moon
Author: G.P. Taylor
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers

Book Description:

From best-selling author G.P. Taylor comes the highly anticipated second installment of The Dopple Ganger Chronicles, a series that combines art and traditional text to help “reluctant readers” discover the wonder of books.

Erik Morissey Ganger, famed explorer and detective (well, in his dreams), and his mischief-making sidekicks, twins Sadie and Saskia Dopple, didn’t go looking for a secret tunnel beneath the school. They never intended to make the acquaintance of a shifty private eye with a nose for trouble. It wasn’t part of the plan to come face to face with an old enemy, one with an agenda of his own that could destroy them all. And unraveling the “secret of indigo moon” was the farthest thing from their minds.

At Isambard Dunstan’s School for Wayward Children, these things just seem to happen.
In The Secret of Indigo Moon, confirmed troublemakers Erik, Sadie, and Saskia plunge headlong into a new and perilous mystery, one that challenges everything they thought they knew about their lives, themselves, and whom it’s safe to trust.

Review:

I admit I’m not a big fan of graphic novels...usually. But it didn’t take long for me to get drawn into the world of Erik Morissey Ganger and the Dopple twins, Sadie and Saskia. The Dopple Ganger Chronicles, Book II: The Secret of Indigo Moon is packed with action right from the start. The mystery involving a secret tunnel, a reporter, and an old enemy is well-written and even managed to surprise me a little—something that doesn't happen often with children’s mysteries.

While the repetition of Erik’s full name did get a little tedious at times, this was still a wonderful book that I had trouble putting down. The Christian message is woven in with such subtlety that it wasn’t even noticeable in much of the story. And when it did appear, it was written in an allegorical fashion that was both enjoyable and uplifting. G.P. Taylor is definitely going on my list of authors I can count on for a good story.

I reviewed this book as a member of the Tyndale Blog Network.

Bibliocat

2009-10-03T12:10:00.003-04:00

I've always loved the idea of a bibliocat. What author wouldn't want a cat who loves books as much as she does? I've just never had the pleasure of owning one...until now.

About a week ago, I adopted the most adorable black tabby kitten. Sergei is a sweet little boy kitty, who can be ornery or cuddly, depending on how sleepy he is. He loves affection and shares it freely. Some of his favorite places to sleep are bookshelves and the book on my nightstand. He curls up in my lap when I'm writing, reading, or editing. Yes, I think this kitten may love the written word as much as his human.

As I write this post, Sergei is curled up within easy petting distance on the bookshelf right beside my computer. He has books next to him, an educational catalog underneath him, and a notebook right beside his head. I wonder what he'd write if he knew how?

A couple of years ago, I wrote a story from the perspective of a kitten. I based the thing on my memories of my last cat's kittenhood, which had ended several years before I wrote the story. Thanks to Sergei, I'm thinking about that story again and wondering where I could submit it. The little guy is proving that all of the kitten observation I did all those years ago was useful; Sergei could easily be the kitten in my story, even though it's very loosely based on a different kitten.

This all goes to show that everything is fodder for a writer, even a new kitten. My little bibliocat in training is sure to make a cameo appearance in a story at some point. I've already considered adding his fictional counterpart to one of my young adult WIPs. Since the main character loves cats, but doesn't currently have one, she's a perfect candidate for her father to surprise with a kitten. While this fictional kitten may not be a sweet little black tabby, it will undoubtedly share at least some of the same personality traits as my little Sergei. And who knows? Maybe I'll make the fictional kitten a bibliocat in the making. After all, people aren't the only ones who enjoy books.

Chat with The Sweetest Romance!

2009-09-23T00:44:00.001-04:00

Attention! Attention! A megaphone resounds in a deep bass voice.
http://sweetestromancechat.blogspot.com is hosting a chat every fourth Thursday and for September it will be from 8 to 9 PM, EST.

Our chat this month is September 24th.
Our guest is Rachel Starr Thomson, author of Worlds Unseen and Burning Light. Her websites are www.rachelstarrthomson.com and www.rachelstarrthomson.com/inklings/
A scavenger hunt, organized by our September hostess, Rachel Rossano, will be held late into the chat and the winner will be honored with, “the highly coveted Sweetie award.” This can be displayed on your website, blog and other cyber space realms you may have.
This chat is a great chance to learn all about the guest and their niche in the world of writing and publishing. There is additional info about Ms. Thomson which she will share during our chat.

Lonestar Secrets by Colleen Coble

2009-09-12T17:39:00.003-04:00

Title: Lonestar Secrets
Author: Colleen Coble
Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Book Description:

Can Texas's majestic Big Bend help Shannon find her life again?

Shannon Astor returns to southwest Texas to serve as the town's veterinarian, believing she's finally found the space to get her life back on track.

Then she catches a glimpse of Jack MacGowan, the man who ruined her life years before. But even more shocking is the sight of Jack's five-year-old daughter Faith, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Shannon's own daughter Kylie. Is it possible that their similarities could be more than just coincidence? Could Faith be the daughter that Shannon has believed to be dead for all these years?

As the truth emerges, everyone is forced to take sides--in a story with a heart as big as Texas.

Purchase a copy here

Review:

This is an amazing story of love and faith, betrayal and trust. Ms. Coble has written a wonderful novel that shows how devastating secrets can be and just how far desperate people will go to keep their secrets hidden. Through Jack and Shannon’s story, we see how one moment of betrayal can ruin trust for years, but bringing secrets into the open and having faith in others can heal. Jack and Shannon’s story is riddled with secrets and mistrust, not only between each other, but also between friends. And some of those secrets threaten to become deadly.

Lonestar Secrets is filled with suspense, heart-rending emotion, and hope that everything will work out in the end. It’s a great read that shows Christians living out their faith without showing even a hint of being preachy. It was a pleasure to read this book as a Thomas Nelson Book Review Blogger, and I highly recommend Lonestar Secrets to anyone looking for a compelling novel with a surprising ending.

Fearless by Max Lucado

2009-09-08T06:00:00.003-04:00

Title: Fearless
Author: Max Lucado
Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Book Description:

Each sunrise seems to bring fresh reasons for fear.

They're talking layoffs at work, slowdowns in the economy, flare-ups in the Middle East, turnovers at headquarters, downturns in the housing market, upswings in global warming. The plague of our day, terrorism, begins with the word terror. Fear, it seems, has taken up a hundred-year lease on the building next door and set up shop. Oversized and rude, fear herds us into a prison of unlocked doors. Wouldn't it be great to walk out?

Imagine your life, wholly untouched by angst. What if faith, not fear, was your default reaction to threats? If you could hover a fear magnet over your heart and extract every last shaving of dread, insecurity, or doubt, what would remain? Envision a day, just one day, where you could trust more and fear less.

Can you imagine your life without fear?

Purchase a copy here

Review:

Max Lucado has written another excellent book in Fearless. His “tell it like it is” style opens readers’ eyes to the reality of fear and how deeply it can effect a person’s daily life. A touch of humor keeps this book from weighing the reader down as he is forced to look at what fears are in his life and how they effect the choices he makes.

Fearless provides plenty of reminders that God never intended people to live in fear. If we have faith in Him, we have nothing to fear. With God in your corner, what do you have to be afraid of? As Lucado points out time and again, Christ often used phrases like, “Do not be afraid.” With a straightforward instruction like that, God makes it clear He intends for us to be courageous in our faith.

This book is full of practical advice and real-life examples that bring the concepts down to a personal level and help them hit home. Lucado’s words provide a great reminder that God doesn’t give us fear; His love overcomes it.

There are a few lines in chapter seven that, for me, capture the tone of the entire book. Lucado is talking about praying about our worries and fears rather than letting them eat away at us.

“Be specific about your fears. Identify what ‘this cup’ is and talk to God about it. Putting your worries into words disrobes them. They look silly standing there naked.”

This entire books disrobes many common fears, and Lucado is right. They do look pretty silly standing naked in the light of faith and logic.

Whether you worry incessantly, live in a state of constant fear, or just wonder if God really cares, Fearless is a great book to help you find your way to stronger faith and a life where you fear less.

Blood Elves inspired by...Gaston???

2009-09-02T17:47:00.003-04:00

I admit it. I have a character on World of Warcraft. Yes, my Blood Elf is a Horde character (the supposed bad guys), but that's only because the Night Elves on the Alliance side (the supposed good guys) creep me out to no end. That, and my college student sister (who talked me into creating my character) was complaining about hating Blood Elves because they're all paladins. She's right, there are a LOT of Blood Elf paladins running around, but there are plenty of other kinds of Blood Elves, too.

By now, assuming you haven't gone cross-eyed from all the parentheses, I'm sure you're wondering, "Where is she going with this?" Bear with me a little longer and I'll get there.

Back to my character. It's a male Blood Elf hunter (level 21...yay!) I affectionately refer to as Rach. That's a nickname given to him by another Blood Elf within minutes of his creation, so don't bother looking for Rach on the dozens of servers if you're bored and have a WoW account. You won't find him.

Anyway, aside from ridiculously long eyebrows that stick out past his pointy ears (all Blood Elves have those eyebrows) and the wrong hairstyle, Rach could pass for Gaston's twin. You know, Gaston from the animated Disney movie Beauty and the Beast. They're both conceited, think they're better than everyone else, and are obsessed with looking good. And it's comical on both of them.

In World of Warcraft, you can make your characters flirt and tell jokes, among other things. One of Rach's built-in flirtations makes me think of Gaston every time. I can't give you an exact quote, but it's something along the lines of, "You know what I love most about your eyes? When I look deeply into them, I can see my own reflection."

Can't you just imagine Gaston saying something like that?

All of this makes me wonder what the programmers at Blizzard (the company who created WoW) had been watching before they designed the male Blood Elves. One more reason for speculation is the male Blood Elf's laugh. It is eerily similar to Gaston's.

Of course, I have no evidence for any of this, or for the similarity of a lot of the dance moves WoW characters have to Michael Jackson dance moves (particularly those from the 80s and 90s). It does, however, bring up an interesting question.

Writers, how much do the things you watch, listen to, or read affect your writing? Readers, have you ever come across a story with characters or storyline similar enough to another book, movie, or TV show that you wondered if the author is a fan?

2010 New Voices Writing Competition

2009-08-31T00:01:00.000-04:00

Calling All Authors:

Do you remember your first dream?

Epic Authors presents the 2010 New Voices Writing Competition for young writers. This free annual contest provides the opportunity for budding authors to submit and be judged, and to win and be published.

“Viewpoints are rapidly changing in the publishing industry and our school systems regarding e-publishing. EPIC’s members have been on the forefront of the literacy fight, speaking at schools and conferences, encouraging evocative and expressive writing from young writers.”

--New Voices Brochure

The New Voices competition takes short stories, essays, and poetry submissions from youth ages 11 to 18 (Middle School and High School). Judges are educational or publishing professionals. Our winners are chosen from each age group and category, and are published in an anthology. Prizes vary and range from an e-reader to gift certificates (and more).

New Voices is a wonderful chance to encourage our youth to develop their talents and pursue their goals. Spread the word about New Voices and foster a child’s dream.

Visit the New Voices website for details: newvoicesyoungwriters.com

Or, for more information, contact newvoices.chair@gmail.com

Danielle Thorne

New Voices 2010 Co-Chair

www.daniellethorne.jimdo.com

For The Sweetest Romance Authors Scavenger Hunt

2009-08-27T19:59:00.002-04:00

The bufo marinus, also known as the cane toad, is a critter Floridians may recognize. These huge toads, which can weigh up to four pounds, aren't native to Florida, however. They come from Central America and South America. Cane toads are the most introduced species of amphibian in the world.

These little (or big) guys were introduced to help control insects that attack sugarcane. While they did serve their purpose, they are now well-established in many places other than their native lands.

Cane toads are omnivorous and will eat just about anything, including dog and cat food. They're most active at night, so a bright sunny afternoon is not likely the best time to go looking for one. And should you decide to look for a cane toad, remember that the secretions from their skin are highly toxic. It's known to sicken or kill small animals, such as cats and dogs. The secretions may also cause skin irritation or burn the eyes of humans, so stop and think carefully for a moment before handling one of these enormous toads.

If you're still curious about the bufo marinus, check out this neat fact sheet.

Chatters from The Sweetest Romance Authors chat, here's the link to your next clue:

http://lastnerve-hotoffthepresses.blogspot.com/

Good luck and enjoy the rest of the chat! For more information on The Sweetest Romance Authors and Readers, check out the group's page.

Kreativ Blogger Award

2009-08-25T12:10:00.001-04:00

Thank you, Anne Patrick, for giving me the Kreativ Blogger Award!

Wow, seven things no one knows about me...well, I can come up with seven that aren't well known, so I hope that counts. :)

7 Things You Never Knew (About Me):

1. I wrote a young adult novel during my high school career and self-published it after I graduated. It was a very expensive lesson that taught me that even if getting a traditional publisher takes a lot longer than self-publishing (usually) and is more difficult, but the traditional publishing contract is totally worth it.

2. When I was in high school, I took marine biology for two years and considered becoming a marine biologist.

3. I hated writing as a kid, but I loved reading and making up stories.

4. I had three learner's permits before I got a driver's license.

5. I once taught a drama class for homeschooled children.

6. My garden almost always has green beans and tomatoes...I don't like to eat either one.

7. For years, doctors said I had autistic-like behaviors. Since graduating from high school, I've received three or four unofficial diagnoses of autism. It's amazing how difficult it is to get an official diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder if you were born before about 1990 and you're high-functioning.

On to the nominations! Do I even know seven bloggers? Just kidding. Here's the list:

1. Miss Mae

2. Laurean Brooks

3. Ashley Ludwig

4. Grace Brooks

5. Kimberli Campbell

6. Sharon Donovan

7. Roni Adams

Now, here are the rules:

1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award. (Thanks, Anne!)

2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.

3. Link the logo to the person who nominated you for this award.

4. Name 7 things about yourself that people might not know.

5. Nominate 7 Bloggers.

6. Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.

7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know they have been nominated.

What a weekend...

2009-08-17T00:01:00.002-04:00

My life has been a whirlwind for the last four days, and it's not letting up yet. Thursday, I received word from Sea Crest eBooks that my newest ebook, Light in the Darkness, was released. That started a flurry of emails about promo and probably a few silly questions on my part. Sheila, you are such a sweetheart and so patient with the tons of questions I've had. Thank you for all of the help you've given me.

I spent Friday with The Sweetest Romance group in the Latte Lounge of Coffee Time Romance. We had a blast and I want to give a big thank you to everyone who stopped by, including the lurkers. I hope you guys enjoyed the chat as much as I did!

On Saturday, I worked on my blog. A huge thank you and a big hug goes to Lula for pointing me to the site where I found the new background for my blog and for the banner she so kindly created. As I've already said, Lula, you are such a sweetie! Thank you so much.

I've also been working on updates for my website the last few days. I'm hoping to have all the work done on the site next weekend, but we all know how the best laid plans can go awry. I'll keeping working toward getting the site updated next weekend anyway. :)

Sunday, I finished reading See No Evil, My Pretty Lady by Miss Mae. If you've never read this historical romantic suspense, I recommend buying a copy. The story kept me guessing all the way to the end, and when I found out the true identity of the villain, I couldn't have been more surprised. Major kudos to Miss Mae for a job well done.

Of course, not all of Sunday was great. My laptop, which is older than dirt, finally gave up the ghost. I coaxed it into working long enough to rescue all of my files, but now I'm stuck working on the desktop computer, which resides in one of the busiest rooms of my house. So much for peace and quiet while working. Hopefully I can replace the laptop soon, but we all know how expensive computers can be.

Today I'm hanging out on the Diana Kay Publishing loop and promoting Light in the Darkness in between working. I'm also participating in a couple of other promo events coming up before the end of the year, which I'll mention here as those days draw closer.

On top of all of this recent insanity, I'm in the midst of major revisions on what I hope will be a full-length novel by the time I finish, and I'm working on revising a couple of short stories. A writer's work never stops, but if it could slow down a little, the writing part would be a whole lot easier. Ah, well. Squeezing out time to write is part of the complex juggling act of life.

Everyone have a great week, and remember to make time for books(including ebooks), whether you write or just read.

Chat with The Sweetest Romance!

2009-08-13T12:15:00.003-04:00

Come chat with The Sweetest Romance Authors this Friday, August 14, at the Latte Lounge! Make sure to sign up with Coffee Time Romance now so you can be sure you'll be able to post to the boards and chat with us. There will be prizes, excerpts, and plenty of fun for all!

If you miss the Summer Fun Chat, you can still find The Sweetest Romance in the Java Junction. Read excerpts, discuss books, ask questions...The Sweetest Romance Authors love to hear from readers and are always happy to chat.

Word Addiction

2009-08-10T12:15:00.003-04:00

I know, the title of this post sounds like a no-brainer, right? Of course an author and avid reader is addicted to words. But this post isn't about my love of the written word. No, it's about another word addiction that I'm embarrassed to admit I have.

I'm addicted to "ing" words, "was," and "were."

Shameful thing for an author to admit, right? But here's the thing, like any other addiction, admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery.

How did I find out about my addiction to these words, the ones that catch an editor's eye and too occurrences of them get you a rejection? You guessed it. I received a rejection. I didn't even know I had so many "ing" words in that story until the editor told me to do a search for them and highlight them. I did, and every page came alive with color. I searched out "was" and "were" as well, highlighting them in a different color. Guess what? I suddenly had a rainbow of highlights on my pages.

Oh, that poor editor, having to suffer through my passive, "ing" filled story. I'm so grateful she pointed that out to me. Now I know what to look for: bad writing habits I thought I'd overcome. The hard part is rewriting sentences to make them much more active and remove the "ing" words. Of course, there is a silver lining to all of this. The revisions to combat my word addiction will tighten up the writing and make the story even better.

Thanks to the poor editor who had to suffer through my lazy writing, and was kind enough to tell me what I needed to work on, I see a light at the end of what likely would have been a very dark tunnel of form rejections. And not just on this story. I did the same search and highlight method on a short story I thought was almost ready to go. Same result. It makes the pages quite pretty with all those highlights, but I'd rather have the writing itself be pretty. Good writing is what keeps editors and readers happy, not how many highlights you can fit on one page.

Let's open up the comments section for a bit of writerly group therapy. Do you have a word addiction you're trying to overcome? Some bad writing habit you know you have, yet you don't seem to realize it crept into your manuscript until after you submitted?

Coming Soon -- Light in the Darkness

2009-08-03T15:49:00.002-04:00

I'm so excited! My newest ebook, Light in the Darkness, will be available soon from Sea Crest eBooks. Want to know more about this story with an awesome cover? Here's the blurb:

Kennedy Drake loves exploring dark places, which makes his job as a graveyard shift security guard ideal. While checking out strange noises in his elderly neighbor’s basement, he discovers a hidden room with a woman trapped inside. Chastity Mooreland has more to fear than her time trapped in darkness. Will Kennedy believe her bizarre tale of a stalker no one thinks is guilty—and will he help free her from a life of despair? Can Chastity look past her suspicion of mankind to accept his offer of friendship?

I'm looking forward to the release of this one. It's quite a bit different from Dreams Do Come True. For one thing, it's not a romance. Another difference is that it's written entirely from Kennedy's point of view. I'll admit right now that thinking like a man isn't always easy. David Jameson in Dreams Do Come True was my first attempt at writing the male POV. I learned a lot through that adventure, and I think I did pretty well writing Light in the Darkness from Kennedy's perspective. Time (and readers/reviews) will tell.

Just as soon as I know the release date, I'll post it here. Have a great Monday!

New cover for a new ebook...

2009-06-21T19:52:00.004-04:00

I'm so excited! I signed a contract with Sea Crest eBooks early this month, and now I have a cover! It captures the story beautifully, and I couldn't be happier. Without further ado, here is the cover for Light in the Darkness:

More info, such as a release date, for Light in the Darkness will come as I get it.

Here or There: Where Do Your Characters Belong?

2009-06-05T00:01:00.001-04:00

All stories are set somewhere. From the most mundane office to the most exotic tropical beach, the setting can have a great effect on a story. Take the mundane office, for example. If it’s described as a place that’s sucking the life out of the main character, it provides all kinds of possibilities for the character’s escape from the perceived prison of a job she hates. And the tropical beach? What better place to have the hero and heroine fall in love? There’s something so romantic about warm ocean breezes, sunshine, and long stretches of pristine white sand.

So, how does one go about choosing a setting for a particular story? Well, for me, it depends a lot on the characters and the plot. Since I’m one of those people who writes by the seat of my pants, the plot tends to evolve as I get deeper into the story. But I usually have a vague idea of where I’d like the story to go and the personalities of the characters.

In the case of my inspirational romance Dreams Do Come True, the setting just came to me naturally. I wanted small town atmosphere, but I wanted it close to a large city. I tossed around several locations before settling on a fictional town just outside Cincinnati, Ohio. Why Cincinnati, you ask? Well, I’ve gone through it multiple times, so I’m at least vaguely familiar with it, and I’ve been to Ohio enough to have a good idea of how the people talk and dress. I know that statement makes it sound like Ohio is a foreign country, which it very well could be to some of my readers, but I’ve been in enough states to know that for all of the similarities, there are subtle differences as well. It’s hard to point out specific differences, since they are subtle, but it’s essential for a writer to be familiar enough with her story’s setting to be able to write it realistically. You never know who is going to read your story, and if your version of Maryland sounds more like British Columbia, someone will notice and likely tell all of their friends that you don’t know anything about Maryland.

Another part of the setting to keep in mind isn’t just the location, but also the time period. Writing a story set in 1735 and having your characters speak like they’re from the current day is a good way to get rejections from editors and annoy readers. As I’ve said so many times, it’s all about realism. If your plot or your characters aren’t believable, no one is going to want to read your story. The same thing goes for the setting; both time and place have to be believable for readers to want to read it.

There are so many perspectives on what makes a good setting and how writers choose them. For a look at what other authors have to say about setting, check out the rest of the Classic Romance Revival blog carnival.

Writing and revising...and revising...and revising...

2009-05-15T10:57:00.002-04:00

It's been a busy couple of weeks, trying to finish a story (which still isn't done) and revising three others. One thing that struck me is that the work on a story is just beginning when you complete the first draft of a manuscript. No, this isn't a new concept to me; I've been writing too long to believe all I have to do is write a story and have it instantly perfect. Even my best first drafts need work.

Revisions can be time-consuming, fun, or just plain frustrating. I've dealt with all three on one particular manuscript. I know that once I finish this round of revising, I'll have to revise it at least once more before I can think about submitting it. My critique buddies are awesome and point out all kinds of things I miss, like the bit I cut out of chapter one. I'd discovered a major info dump (huge block of information that interrupted the flow of the story), so I cut it. I knew that some of the information was given later in the story, but I failed to think of one thing: readers don't know what happens in later chapters. Cutting the info dump was great, but I cut too much. Now I have to go back and add in an essential piece of information.

Other parts of revising that manuscript are fun, because I get to write new paragraphs, add more depth to the characters, and bring the romance out a little more. I love bringing a story to life and making it into what I want it to be. It's such a satisfying feeling.

Of course, it's not always fun. I spent several days struggling with how to make an mind-numbingly dull paragraph interesting. Trust me, I threatened to beat my head against my desk many, many times. Last night, I just ignored the original paragraph and put myself in the main character's shoes. It started slowly, but then the words flowed and I accomplished three things with that single paragraph: set up the scene, gave the reader more insight into the character's thoughts and feelings, and showed a little more of her romantic interests.

While I love writing the first draft and watching the story unfold before my fingers (I can't outline to save myself, so I never know where the story's going next), revising can be just as satisfying. Plus, I know that each round of revision brings my manuscript that much closer to submission. And we all know that unless you submit your work, it will never be published.

The Wild Rose Press turns 3!

2009-05-01T00:01:00.001-04:00

I’m so excited! Today is the third birthday of The Wild Rose Press, and they’re still growing and blooming. To celebrate the company turning three, the editors and artists are holding an all day blog event at Behind the Garden Gate. Here's all the info:

Happy Birthday to the Wild Rose Press.
Join us May 1, 2009 for a day of fun blog posts and prizes every hour.

Stop by www.BehindTheGardenGate.blogspot.com all day May 1, 2009. Beginning at 6 am ET and ending about 11pm ET, each hour will highlight the many lines we have at the Wild Rose Press.
And every hour, a random winner will be drawn from those who post a comment. The winners will receive their choice of book from that line.

At the end of the day, a grand prize winner will be drawn from all that post throughout the day.
The grand prize winner will receive a gorgeous tote bag full of books, a t-shirt, coffee mug, gift certificates and whatever else we can stuff in a tote bag or if the winner would rather, they can take a $30 gift certificate to the TWRP bookstore.
(this can be any TWRP store, White Rose Publishing, the Wilder Rose or the main Wild Rose Press bookstore.)

It's finally here!!!

2009-04-24T09:04:00.003-04:00

Woohoo! It's release day! I'm doing a happy dance and enjoying the fact that Dreams Do Come True is finally available from White Rose Publishing!

Can you tell I'm a little excited? This is my very first release from a royalty-paying publisher, which makes it extra special. I hope all writers one day will enjoy the great feeling of knowing all their hard work paid off and is available for anyone in the world to read.

Everyone have a wonderful day! I know mine is going to be great.

Dreams Do Come True -- Excerpt

2009-04-23T00:01:00.000-04:00

My inspirational romance, Dreams Do Come True, will be available tomorrow from White Rose Publishing! In honor of the release, here's a sneak peek at the story for your enjoyment:

Gayle glanced at the envelope in Cassie’s hand and nodded toward the vacant end of the counter. Cassie went to the seat at the very end and laid the envelope in front of her. She needed Gayle’s moral support when she opened this one. The publisher she’d submitted to was the perfect match for her book, and she’d spent nearly a month on the submission package to make sure it was perfect.

Gayle finally finished serving the elderly man and joined Cassie. “Be brave.”

Cassie managed a weak smile and prayed for strength as she picked up the envelope. A moment later, she pulled out her submission package and what appeared to be a form letter. She got as far as “We regret…” before she dropped the stack of papers on the counter and lowered her head to her hands with a moan. “Not again!”

The strip of bells hanging on the door jangled before Gayle could reply. She gave Cassie’s arm a consoling pat, and then went to tend the new customer.

Cassie brushed her long hair from her eyes as she lifted her head and reached for the rejection letter, hoping it contained some clue as to why they didn’t want her novel. Her gaze briefly went to the new customer. His gorgeous movie cowboy appearance caught her attention and made her heart do a two-step. Dark-haired and blue-eyed, he stood at least six foot two and had wide shoulders that tapered down to a trim waist. He’d tucked his white shirt into a pair of jeans that fit oh-so-perfectly on his hips. The sleeves were rolled up to reveal tanned, well-toned forearms. He smiled as he spoke to Gayle, and Cassie decided receiving another rejection letter was almost worth it to see this amazing specimen of a man.

Two Days and Counting...

2009-04-22T00:01:00.001-04:00

Only two more days until Dreams Do Come True is released! Here's the blurb:

Aspiring author Cassie Teague has been rejected…again. As she considers giving up her dream of getting published, a handsome editor walks into her life and makes her wonder if God has more in store for her than just writing.

Acquisitions editor David Jameson wants more than just Cassie’s book. But will office politics destroy his hope for the future?

Drop by tomorrow for an excerpt!

Dedication...

2009-04-21T09:50:00.002-04:00

I thought long and hard about the dedication for my inspirational romance, Dreams Do Come True. After thinking about dedicating it to everyone who's ever read any of my writing, I decided to go for a dedication that also fit the story. What did I finally choose?

To all writers struggling with rejection: Never give up hope.

I've spent years receiving one rejection after another. Dreams Do Come True was rejected twice before White Rose Publishing offered me a contract. Even though there were times I thought I'd never receive a contract from a publisher, I couldn't give up my dream. That perseverance (some might call it stubbornness) is what made me keep submitting even when it seemed pointless. I'd gotten to the point where I expected a rejection from every submission I made, but I also made sure each of those submissions was as perfect as I could make it.

All the hard work of learning the craft of writing and rewriting nearly everything finally paid off. Last year, two of my short stories were accepted for publication by non-paying markets. I know that doesn't sound like much of an accomplishment, but those were my first pieces of fiction published, and one of the markets had rejected my work in the past.

With the confidence those acceptances gave me, I pulled out Dreams Do Come True (which had previously been rejected) and did a little rewriting and polishing and submitted it to White Rose Publishing (which was still the White Rose line of The Wild Rose Press at that point). I had a good feeling about it, sure this would be the publisher for my story. Then I received the email from the editor telling me it was good as far as it went, but I needed to make it longer.

Big sigh. I had absolutely no idea how to make it longer. I'd written the story until the ideas stopped coming. So, I spent a few days praying, thinking, and discussing it with my critique partners. To my surprise (and relief), the ideas started flowing. I added a few thousand words, wrote a much more satisfying ending, and sent the new and improved manuscript to the editor. Her response? She gave me a contract!

With a writing history like that, and since the heroine of Dreams Do Come True is a writer struggling to find a publisher, I had to dedicate it to all the writers going through their own struggles on the road to publication.

All I can say is this: If I can do it, so can you. All it takes is willingness to work hard, learn everything you can about writing and storytelling, and accept constructive criticism. I have yet to hear of anyone who writes a perfect first draft. Even the most well-written manuscript will come back from an editor with a few markings.

One more week...

2009-04-17T14:39:00.002-04:00

I woke up happy, scared, excited, and nervous this morning. Why, you ask? Because as soon as I opened my eyes, I realized it's exactly one week until the release of my first e-book. Dreams Do Come True is also my first inspirational romance and my first publishing contract with a royalty-paying publisher.

That's a lot of firsts. It's also a lot of pressure. I want to see this e-book sell well, get great reviews, and have an impact on people. So while I'm ecstatic that my release date is so close, it's also a little scary. I keep having to silence those what ifs that are so common to authors, especially new ones. You know: What if no one likes it? What if the only people who buy it are my relatives? What if--?

You get the idea. I keep reminding myself that an editor liked it well enough to offer me a contract, my crit partners enjoyed it when they helped me with it, and I like it. I'm sure there will be people who don't like Dreams Do Come True, but there are also people who don't like the romance genre.

As for my other dreams for this story (that it will sell well and have an impact on people), I'll do what I can to reach them, although impacting people with a story that's already written is kind of out of my hands. All I can do for that one is to pray and leave it in God's hands...which is the best place for it to be.

About the book

Dreams Do Come True by E.A. West, available April 24, 2009 from White Rose Publishing

Blurb:

Aspiring author Cassie Teague has been rejected…again. As she considers giving up her dream of getting published, a handsome editor walks into her life and makes her wonder if God has more in store for her than just writing.

Acquisitions editor David Jameson wants more than just Cassie’s book. But will office politics destroy his hope for the future?

Ugh, taxes...and an update

2009-04-09T22:36:00.004-04:00

I survived filling out my taxes! Woohoo!

Have I ever mentioned how much of a pain a tax form can be? I'm sure many of you already know how exasperating filling out those forms can be. The important thing is that I survived it and don't have to worry about it for another year.

Now that the taxing (pun intended) part of this post is out of the way, it's time for an update to my last post. My big orange kitty, the one who was seventeen and a half, passed away Sunday afternoon. I'm sure all of you pet owners can sympathize with what I'm going through, like expecting him to yowl and beg for treats when I'm trying to cook, thinking I'll walk into a room and see him lying there only to realize that will never happen again, etc. I miss my cat, and it's probably going to take me a long time to quit wishing he could curl up in my lap while I'm on the computer.

But there is a good side to this. I do have another cat, a pretty little gray tabby, who's been friendly and sweet since I got her. Last weekend, however, she became more cuddly than she's ever been. She's a pacer, meaning she doesn't hold still (usually); she paces and rubs her head against people when she's feeling affectionate. But last weekend, she started curling up beside me while I'm on the computer and she's giving me a lot more attention. It's almost like she's letting me know we both miss her kitty brother, but she's here to be my loving writing buddy.

The little shih tzu I took in last year is also being a total sweetheart, and so is my big brown mutt of a dog. I've realized in the last few days that the one of the best ways to survive losing a pet who's become a member of the family is to have other pets to love and be loved by. Can you tell I'm an animal lover?

On a completely unrelated note, the first of the Easter Lilies stories was released by White Rose Publishing today. Last year, White Rose held a short story contest called Easter Lilies. The three winners were guaranteed a contract for publication, with release dates on the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday before Easter.

Now that the background is out of the way, here's the important info: titles and where to buy them.

Thursday's release is Under the 5th Street Bridge by Carla Rossi

Friday's release is Wildflower in Bloom by Janelle Ashley

And Saturday's release is By Another Name by Ashley Elizabeth Ludwig

Have a happy Easter everyone!

Knitting and Miscellaneous Other Stuff

2009-03-31T12:53:00.003-04:00

I'm so excited! When I first learned to knit, I wondered if I'd ever find a project I could do with my very beginner skills. Well, I found a scarf pattern, learned to cable without a third needle (but I think it might be easier for me with a third needle), and figured out all those lovely knitting pattern abbreviations that are so different from crochet abbreviations. And the best part is that I finally finished putting the scarf together last night! It's far from perfect and (to me) it looks like a beginner made it, but knitting that thing is a great accomplishment for me. I wasn't sure I'd ever get it finished (I started the "weekend" project a couple of months ago), but now I have a scarf...just in time for the warm weather of spring. Ah, well, it will be good to have when the weather turns cold again.

Now, I must apologize for my long absence from this blog. March was a rough month for my entire family. Those of you who have been reading for a while know I was excited about my unborn nephew. Well, he had severe health problems no one anticipated and only lived for two days. It's been hard on us, but life is slowly getting back to normal. I'm still trying to get back into the swing of things, and now I have another difficult month ahead.

Anyone who knows me knows I'm an animal lover through and through. My cat, who is seventeen and a half and I adopted when he was five weeks old, has a massive, fast-growing tumor in his abdomen. There's nothing we can do other than keep him as comfortable as possible. It's been a struggle, and still is, but I've finally accepted that my cat is dying. Now, I know some of you are wondering if I should take him to the vet and have him put down. Trust me, if he starts suffering too much, I'll definitely do it no matter how hard it is. But for now, he's still my happy kitty. He stretches out on my lap (curling up is physically difficult because of the tumor) and purrs. He still tries to steal anything I eat, especially cheese. I'm praying for a quick end with little suffering for him. I hate to see any animal suffer, but one I've had this long and has been through so much with me...well, he's a member of my family.

Okay, that's enough sad stuff for now. On a much happier note (because my optimistic personality won't let me be down for too long), my story Dreams Do Come True has a coming soon page at White Rose Publishing! I don't remember if I mentioned it here or not, but the release date for Dreams Do Come True has been moved from July 1 to April 24. So, regardless of whatever else happens in April, I know the 24th will be good...I'll have a published e-book with an wonderful publisher!

Working with Autism

2009-02-26T11:14:00.001-05:00

How do you work with high-functioning autism? No, I’m not talking about working with people who have autism; I’m talking about being autistic and trying to work. Let me tell you, it’s not always easy to get the job done. Some days, it’s a breeze and you feel completely normal, like you’re no different from anyone else. Then there are all the other days. Those can range from wondering if you’re doing things the way a non-autistic would, to a complete disaster that has you in tears and incapable of a coherent thought.

So what do I do on the really bad days? Cry. Literally. Yes, I can fight the meltdown, and usually do. Who wants to sit around crying for seemingly no reason and suffer the completely draining emotional release a meltdown provides? Not me, that’s for sure. It’s hard to be a grown woman and cry like an upset toddler just because the stress of everyday life has piled up. But sometimes, there’s just no avoiding a meltdown.

To the uninitiated, a meltdown looks like a temper tantrum or a serious case of melodrama. Trust me, no one likes a meltdown. It’s emotionally taxing, physically exhausting, and just plain embarrassing to lose it like that. What causes a meltdown? An overloaded, stressed out nervous system. Sometimes, a meltdown can be avoided by getting out of the stressful situation, but not always. Sometimes, nothing can be done to avoid it.

What does all of this have to do with working? Well, in my case, when I reach the point of an impending meltdown, I can’t work at all. I can’t think; my mind goes to the “gray place,” a place where there are literally no thoughts. If I’m lucky enough to be able to think even a little, I still can’t talk. The words get stuck and just add to the stress I’m already feeling. The tiniest thing can push me over the edge.

Thankfully, I don’t reach that point often. If life’s been stressful, I may be distracted when I start working and have trouble concentrating, but I usually get absorbed in my work fairly quickly. And once I’m “in the zone,” I can work for hours without realizing that much time has passed. I do freelance work, which is perfect for me. Some days, I meet my daily goal. Other days, I can exceed that goal by two or three times.

Then there are the bad days. On those days, I’m lucky if I get any work done at all. Given my lack of brainpower when I’m either fighting off a meltdown or recovering from one, I usually just do my best to relax and get back to normal so I can work the next day. I’ve never missed a deadline, but I have been known to work at two in the morning because my sleep patterns can get pretty messed up when life gets wacky.

The moral of this post? Be patient with autistics, even those who may seem completely normal most of the time. We can be odd and don’t always react to things the way others think we should, but we can be very good at our jobs. As many people have pointed out, a lot of autistics have a great eye for tiny details, and we can be obsessive about getting things right. Yes, we sometimes have bad days and are completely useless when it comes to work, but the number of good days (for me, anyway) is much greater than the number of bad days.

Knitting and Learning

2009-02-17T00:01:00.000-05:00

I’m so excited! I finally figured out how to knit something other than I-cord! My first official project is a sampler scarf that has five designs repeated for a total of ten pieces. I have one piece and most of another one done. It may be spring before I finish the scarf, but it’s such a great feeling to be able to understand and follow the instructions.

As I mentioned back in December, I learned to make I-cord. Last month, I learned how to make cables without a third needle. It involves slipping the stitches off the needle and holding them with my fingers while I do a little rearranging of stitches before I put them back on the needle. While it’s cool that I don’t need a third needle, I have a theory that for me, anyway, using the third needle might be easier.

Now I just need to get one, since all I have at the moment is a pair of single point needles. I didn’t see much point in investing in more than that, since I had no idea if I could figure out how to knit. But now that I’ve figured it out, I’d love to get some double pointed needles and a pair of circular needles. It’s amazing how many completely awesome free knitting patterns you can find on the internet.

There’s something about learning a new skill that still makes me as excited as when I finally mastered the multiplication table in school. Man, those nines were hard to learn! But I finally did it with a lot of practice. The same thing is true of knitting, cooking, writing, and countless other things. I’m a firm believer in lifelong learning, so hopefully I’ll still get to enjoy the thrill of learning something new when I’m ninety.

Keep on learning, no matter how old you are. It’s a great feeling and keeps your mind sharp.

One Fish, Two Fish

2009-02-12T08:12:00.002-05:00

Can you tell from the title of this post that I've spent a lot of time in the last couple of weeks reading picture books? When my three-year-old niece brings me a book and asks me to read it to her, why, of course I have to do it.

I love Dr. Seuss, so having a young child around gives me a great excuse to read his work. Now, I'd like to read something other than The Cat in the Hat and One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish, but my niece loves those books. If I read them enough times, I just might end up having them memorized, the same way I memorized Green Eggs and Ham when her mama (one of my younger sisters) was little.

Last night, my niece wanted me to read a couple of books I hadn't read to her before. It was a relief to read something new, but I noticed a similarity between these two books and Dr. Seuss books: they rhyme. All the way through. My comment? "With all of these rhymes, I'm losing my minds." Lame, I know, but all the adults in the room cracked up because they've read the same books I have countless times. My niece also cracked up, but she had no idea what was so funny...which made the rest of us laugh harder.

I also learned that picture book authors can be a little warped, and the children the books are intended for never even realize it. One of the books I read had something to do with Farmer Brown and his birthday. All of the animals named something nice they could do for his birthday, and the turkey decided he could decorate Farmer Brown's Thanksgiving table. Reading that shortly after losing my mind due to rhyming books probably made it funnier than it actually was, but picture books can provide some great stress relief in the form of laughter.

One of the biggest things reading all of these picture books has done is give me a great appreciation for non-rhyming books written for people over the age of twelve.

Kids and writing...

2009-02-03T09:15:00.002-05:00

My three-year-old niece found me this morning wanting to watch "cah-doons." Of course, I had to oblige with some educational cartoons on PBS. She's positively adorable, and so is her three-week-old brother. I love the two of them, wouldn't trade time with them for anything, but having a preschooler and an infant in the house definitely make for some difficult writing.

Between giggles, cries, and a sweet little girl voice saying "love oo," it's a little hard to concentrate until after they're asleep. And then I have to visit with my sister and brother-in-law for a little while, so by the time I get to writing it's ten or eleven at night. Since I'm a night owl, it's not too big a problem, until eight in the morning when a little voice wants to "watch cah-doons."

As I write this, I'm being handed Legos while that sweet little voice tells me "You hep." She's not quite coordinated enough to put them together on her own yet, so I get to put them together for her under her instruction. In order to finish this post, I've made a deal with her. If she lets me finish typing this, I'll help her with the Legos.

The other fun part of all of this? The shih tzu I acquired several months ago. He gets along marvelously with my niece, licking fingers and toes and getting so excited when she giggles. He ignores my nephew, unless he's crying, and then the dog gives me a "fix it" look. No, the fun part is that my little shih tzu is getting clingy. He needs more hugs and attention than usual.

Of course, the dog is easy to write with. He lies beside me, I pet him between paragraphs, and we're both happy. Dogs are so easy to please.

Well, I'm off to put some Legos together. Have a great Tuesday, and for those of you getting snowed on like I am, enjoy the fluffy whiteness. It's beautiful.

Author Pamela S. Thibodeaux is holding a contest!

2009-01-29T00:01:00.000-05:00

Inspirational romance author and fellow member of White Roses in Bloom Pamela S. Thibodeaux is holding a contest. Here are all the details:

A Sweetheart of a Contest

As we all know, the flagging economy is forcing businesses to make tough decisions and the book industry is no exception. Bookstores are closing. Publishers are laying off people, cutting back on production, and pulling titles from distribution.

What’s an author to do?

Get those sales up.

So, Fellow author and Friend, Pamela S. Thibodeaux, is having a Valentine’s Day contest Where Everyone Gets a Gift!

Between Jan. 31st & Feb. 13th

Everyone who enters will receive Thib’s Teaser (a pdf with blurbs/excerpts/discount coupons/short story) AND their name will be entered into a drawing for the GRAND PRIZE – simply email Pertinent Promotions at ppromocntst@aol.com with Sweetheart Contest in the subject line.

No Purchase Necessary to Participate

~HOWEVER ~

Purchase any (1) Tempered novel and, along with Thib’s Teaser you will receive a Special Surprise Gift and your name will go into the drawing twice for the Grand Prize! Simply forward a copy of your receipt or proof of purchase to ppromocntst@aol.com (include your mailing address for the surprise gift).

Purchase 2 Tempered novels and in addition to Thib’sTeaser you will Receive a Special Surprise Gift, Your pick of a FREE download of either Choices or Cathy’s Angel and three chances to win the Grand Prize! Simply forward a copy of your receipt or proof of purchase to ppromocntst@aol.com (pick your short story and include your mailing address for your surprise gift)

Purchase the first 3 Tempered novels (Tempered Hearts, Tempered Dreams & Tempered Fire) and in addition to Thib’s Teaser you will Receive: A Special Surprise Gift, Your pick of a FREE download of either Cathy’s Angel or Choices a FREE autographed copy of Tempered Joy and 4 chances to win the Grand Prize! Simply forward a copy of your receipt or proof of purchase to ppromocntst@aol.com (pick your short story and include your mailing address for your autographed copy of Tempered Joy & your surprise gift)

Together we can take the Tempered Series to Amazon’s Best Seller List!

**Amazon Purchase NOT Your ONLY Option**

If you purchase Any of the Tempered Series according to the rules above from your local book store, MAIL a copy of your receipt to Pertinent Promotions c/o Pamela S Thibodeaux, PO Box 324, Iowa, LA 70647 and your prizes will be the same as those listed.

Same rules apply if you purchase DIGITAL copies of The Tempered Books *Note* If you purchase digital copies of Tempered Hearts, Tempered Dreams, and Tempered Fire according to the rules above, you will receive a digital copy of Tempered Joy. *Digital copies also available @ All Romance Ebooks!

Winner will be announced on Feb 14th

*All entrants will be added to Pertinent Promotions and the Author’s personal mailing lists.*

Grand Prize: CD of my TWRP titles which includes 3 short stores (Cathy’s Angel, Choices, & A Hero for Jessica), 1 full-length novel The Inheritance and an advanced copy of my Upcoming Release Winter Madness (short story) and a Valentine Gift Basket!

Does writing every day equal success?

2009-01-27T08:46:00.002-05:00

I just caught the end of an interview with John Grisham and learned an interesting bit of information. He doesn't write every day. He said he starts a project in April and has it finished by Thanksgiving. He wasn't specific about how long he can go without writing before it drives him nuts.

So, does writing every day mean you have a better chance of being successful? Not necessarily. There are thousands of writers out there who apply words to paper every single day, yet can't find publication. There are highly successful authors like Grisham who don't write every day, and there are authors like Stephen King who write five to six pages every day.

The true key to success is a great story, knowing the craft of writing inside and out, and perseverance. There are benefits to writing every day for those trying to finish a manuscript and those still learning the craft of writing. If you write every day, you'll reach the end of your manuscript much faster than if you only write every Saturday. For new writers and those struggling with the craft...remember that saying about practice making perfect? Well, that daily writing gives you the opportunity for plenty of practice. Just make sure you study the technical details of writing as well so you know what it is you need to practice.

I hear you out there wondering if I write every day. I try to. If I don't write every day, I tend to feel stressed and my life has enough stress already without adding to it. I learned a long time ago that writing is a form of relaxation for me. Some people do yoga every day; I write.

If, for some reason, I can't get my writing in for the day, I don't worry about it too much unless I'm working on a deadline. Most of the time, I'm not. Unlike a lot of writers out there, I don't have a daily word or page goal. I just write whatever is begging to get on the page. Sometimes it's a sentence, sometimes it's twenty pages. Part of how much I write depends on the amount of time I have to devote to writing.

So, do I think writing every day made me successful? No. I wrote every day for a long time, but I didn't know much about the craft of writing. Learning the craft and applying to my writing, learning how to completely rewrite a manuscript, and willingness to give up on a manuscript are what finally led to my success. And I haven't had much success yet.

I have more to learn about writing, and I'm constantly trying to figure out what works and what doesn't. I've had to rewrite scenes multiple times before they finally worked. I've had to swallow my pride and admit I made events in a story fall into place a little too perfectly. I've had to completely tear apart a manuscript and take the basic idea and a little dialogue and completely rewrite the story.

These are the things that lead to success. It's not uncommon for an author to refer to a manuscript as her baby. What a lot of people don't realize, including a surprising number of writers, is that you have to be willing to tear that literary baby to pieces and put it back together, sometimes repeatedly, to get the story to where it needs to be for a publisher to fall in love with it. Yes, it can be hard, but it's a part of the process.

Do you want to be a successful writer? Learn all you can about writing, create a unique story with a great plot, and don't shy away from hard work. Because there's nothing easy about breaking into the world of publishing. And once you're book is finally accepted by a publisher, the work continues: edits, galleys, promotion.

Good luck to all of you who are writing with a goal of publication in mind. You most likely have a long and rocky road ahead of you, but remember to persevere. That's the only way to survive the inevitable rejections and criticism. If you're like me and have to write or go nuts, you'll find the strength to persevere even when it looks impossible. It's part of who you are.

I'm thinking about music...

2009-01-22T11:16:00.002-05:00

I've been listening to a lot of music lately in a wide variety of genres, which isn't unusual for me. I tend to listen to music while working, writing, reading, cleaning the house...you get the idea. And I've noticed something about the music I'm hearing on the radio: there is a lot of foul stuff out there.

I'm not talking about foul language. The FCC keeps me from having to listen to those words, though some of the radio stations don't edit as well as they could and it's obvious what was edited out.

No, I'm talking about the sexual innuendos that seem rampant in popular music. And some of them go beyond innuendo to blatant, such as "going down on me" or a variation of it sung by a male in at least three songs I've heard in the last week or two. I don't want to hear that stuff, and I doubt parents want their little eleven-year-olds listening to songs about females undressing (or being undressed) and what a guy wants to do with a girl. My mom would have shut off the radio when I was younger had a song like that come on the air.

Yet it seems acceptable in our current society to use sex to sell music, books, movies, clothes, even some food items (remember Hardee's commercials from a couple of years ago?). I'm not that old (under 30), but I can't help wishing for the "good old days" when the music was clean. Even country music, which used to be so mild people insisted their children listen to the country stations rather than the pop/rock stations, has fallen into the trap of using sex to sell. I will admit that the country music has a sweeter tone to it, but do we really need to hear about the guy wanting to get in bed with the girl?

I know this post might seem strange coming from a romance author, but that's just it. I'm a romance author, not a sex author. In my mind, and the mind of many who love sweet romances, romance is emotional more than physical. Yes, physical attraction plays a role, but the emotional aspect of the relationship is much more important to me. Exploring the emotions, showing the restraint of the hero and heroine when they're tempted, making me laugh and cry with the characters, these are the things I look for in a romance and I strive for when I write.

Back to music for a moment. All these songs that focus on sex rather than emotion? So not romantic. For a truly romantic song that had even my younger brother saying it was sweet, take a listen to "The Voyage" by Celtic Thunder:

That is what I call a good, romantic song.

Not just any Tuesday...

2009-01-20T10:40:00.002-05:00

Today, our great nation makes history. Not only will our new president be inaugurated, our first black president will be inaugurated.

That statement is probably the only time I will ever mention race in reference to the President. Blame it on listening to too many reporters. I'm just happy to have a president who appears to have the necessary skill and diplomacy to fix so many of the problems we face not just here in the United States, but worldwide. Finally, someone who is going to focus on the war in Afghanistan so our military members can come home!

I normally try to avoid talking politics on here, but today's events aren't just politics, they're history. I must admit the election last year is viewed as the start of something big. Today's inauguration is just another step in that direction.

Will Barack Obama be able to live up to the lofty expectations the American public have placed on his shoulders? I have no clue. I doubt anyone else does, either. All I can say for sure is that he'll do his best.

I'll be praying for our new president and all of our country's leaders. They have a difficult task ahead of them, and they're going to have tough decisions to make. I wish the Obama administration the best of luck as they guide the United States through these difficult times.

Moving on...

2009-01-15T10:08:00.002-05:00

After the rejection Tuesday, I finished polishing a different short story and sent it out yesterday. The best way I've found to combat the rejection blues is to do something productive, whether it's sending out another submission, revising a chapter, or writing something. It reminds me that while rejection is a part of this crazy writer life, there's so much more to do than wallow in self-pity. As I often say, rejection happens. Accept that your manuscript didn't work in that one market, learn what you can from the rejection, apply it to your writing, and move on.

Sounds so easy and stress-free, right? Well, it usually is. Yesterday I was feeling great about that submission. I think it's a good fit for the place I sent it, I know it's as perfect as I can get it, and for once the letter was a breeze to write.

Then I woke up this morning with one thought: I forgot to write ROMANCE on the envelope.

Right there in the guidelines I had by my side to make sure I did everything necessary, it said to label the envelope as a romance. I read it a couple of times as I packaged up the submission. I've submitted to this place before, so I knew from experience that I had to mark the envelope. Why didn't I do it this time? Beats me. Call it getting distracted (there were four people in the house talking while I was packaging the submission), just spacing it, or whatever you will.

Yes, I feel a little stupid for that one. Yes, I'm a little worried that I'll receive an automatic rejection for not following the guidelines to the letter. But I'm not going to dwell on it. There's nothing I can do about it now. The mailman picked up the unlabeled envelope yesterday. I'll just have to wait and see if failure to write ROMANCE on the envelope is really that big a deal or not. I hope, since all fiction submissions are sent to the same person, that my story will still be read and evaluated on its own merits and not automatically rejected because I forgot to write one word on the envelope.

What was that I said about moving on after a rejection? It applies to moving on after a silly mistake, too. I've learned to double and triple check my submissions in the future. Now, I need to find something constructive to do. That won't be hard. I have other manuscripts to work on, so maybe I'll do a little writing later. I could do a little revision as well, since I have a couple of manuscripts in need of a rewrite.

Everyone have a great week, and remember to double check your submission against the guidelines before putting it in the mail.

Sigh...

2009-01-13T00:01:00.001-05:00

Well, I just received a rejection on a short story. I knew the market was a long shot (it's in Australia, I'm in the U.S., and they like to publish mostly local authors), but it still makes me sigh. No one likes rejection letters, but I understand the necessity of them. In the case of this magazine, not only is it in Australia, it gets hundreds of submissions every week, which makes it a long shot for everyone who submits.

The question on my mind now is: Where else can I submit this story? It's chick lit, around 1,700 words, and has been previously published in an online mag. I love this story for a couple of reasons. One, I had a blast writing it; and two, it's my first (and so far only) successful attempt at chick lit. I'd love to get paid at least a little for its publication, since the online mag was a non-paying market, but it's hard to find a paying market for short fiction that takes reprints.

Ah, well. In my spare time (ha ha), I'll keep looking for another market. Who knows? Maybe I'll come across a market that will work for a different story. I actually ran across the Australian magazine while looking for something else. If nothing else, at least I gave it a shot, even if it was a long shot.

Today's advice that applies every single day to writers and everyone else: Never give up. Things may get tough or frustrating, rejection happens, and life goes on. The important thing is to keep going right along with it. Make adjustments as necessary, but don't give up because you hit a bump in the road.

Doing It God's Way

2009-01-08T00:01:00.000-05:00

I love writing. I can’t imagine what I’d do without writing in my life. It’s a release, a way to express myself, explore human nature, deal with stress, share joy...the list goes on and on. But I couldn’t write without God’s help. How do I know this? Easy. I’ve tried it and failed epically. Another thing I’ve learned time and again is that it doesn’t work to argue with God. I lose every time and realize that God’s way is better than mine.

A few years ago, I was writing a story and knew I wanted to use a specific Bible verse. I’d already used it in an earlier scene, one in a church service, and I knew I had to use it for this second church service scene. Unfortunately, I got so busy thinking about what I wanted to do with the story that I forgot to ask what God wanted me to do with it.

I went to work on this second church scene, writing bits and pieces of a sermon that would hit the character hard, and got stuck. I couldn’t for the life of me figure out how to tie that important verse into the scene. I spent hours working on that scene to no avail. Everything I thought of wouldn’t work for one reason or another. Through it all, I felt a tugging on my heart to quit focusing on that verse and focus on the message, but I got so hung up on wanting to fit that verse into the scene that I fought against the tug.

Finally, I got so frustrated that I was ready to throw my pen across the room. I looked up at the ceiling and prayed, “Fine. I’ll do it Your way.”

When I looked down at the paper filled with my handwriting and scribbled out sentences, I knew exactly what to write next. I quit trying to write the scene my way and just let the words flow from my pen. The sermon in the scene went in a different direction than I’d planned, but it fit the story perfectly. Even though I’d been stubborn and argued to write the scene my way so I could include that verse, God had other plans that turned out better than what I’d been struggling to write. The best part? Once I quit fighting His way, I was able to incorporate the verse I’d so desperately wanted to include in the scene.

The moral of the story? Arguing with God is futile, and if what you want is in His plan, He’ll give you a way to do it.

Blogging at White Roses in Bloom

2009-01-06T00:01:00.001-05:00

Yesterday I posted my very first post on a group blog. The wonderful ladies at White Roses in Bloom invited me to join the blog, since I'm an author for the White Rose line at The Wild Rose Press, and I had to accept. I'm so honored to be part of a blog with such great authors as Kara Lynn Russell (nominated for Favorite Author by The Romance Studio), Cindy K. Green (author of Relationship Rescue and the NovelTea series), and Pamela S. Thibodeaux (multi-published author of inspirational fiction). Needless to say I feel a little out of my league, but I've been made to feel welcome by all of the White Roses in Bloom authors.

I think one of the greatest things about becoming an author with The Wild Rose Press is the community. New authors are given a warm welcome, veteran authors are there to offer advice and answer questions, the staff of The Wild Rose Press are accessible and some of the nicest people I've ever interacted with. If you write romance, I highly recommend submitting to The Wild Rose Press. They will never send you a form rejection. If they have to reject your story, they'll tell you why and give you suggestions for how to make your story better. They might even offer to take another look at your story once you address the issues mentioned. That's what happened with Dreams Do Come True. I was asked to make it longer, and I can never thank Nicola Martinez enough for suggesting it. I love the story more than ever now, and it feels complete, which it didn't before--something I couldn't figure out until I received Nicola's email.

Okay, enough gushing about my publisher (something I could do for hours, I'm sure). Stop by the White Roses in Bloom blog and check out my introductory post. Look around while you're there, read some of the other posts, maybe leave a comment or two.

Have a happy Tuesday!

2009 Resolutions

2009-01-01T00:01:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year!

Well, I've been thinking about it, and I have a few resolutions, goals, or whatever you want to call them. Here they are, in no particular order:

Send out more submissions
Get at least one of my completed manuscripts revised
Learn about promotion
Promote until I can promote no more, then promote again
Write, write, and write some more

We'll see how many of these goals I can achieve throughout the next year. I'd love to get another publishing contract, preferably for a full-length novel, but two of my goals will take me in that direction. Whether I actually get a contract or not is dependent on so much more than my own effort, such as an agent or editor falling in love with the manuscript. I'm going to do my best to convince them they love my writing, but in the end, it all comes down to their personal preferences. And if I get a rejection (which I'm sure I will at least once), I'll just submit somewhere else.

So, those are my goals. What goals/resolutions do you have for 2009?

Is it the end of the year already?

2008-12-30T11:58:00.002-05:00

2008 has flown by! I can't believe tomorrow is New Year's Eve. It seems like just last week it was Thanksgiving. I can't complain, though. This has been my best year as a writer yet. I survived my first attempt at copy writing, I had two short stories published (one in print, one online), and I signed my first contract (ever) with The Wild Rose Press. I've survived editing and galleys, something that wasn't nearly as painful or difficult as I'd expected. I received my first cover--and I still think Nicola Martinez is one of the most amazing cover artists out there!

With such a great year, I can hardly wait to see what 2009 brings. I already know I'll have to learn more about promoting my work; my rosette is being released July 1. I'm determined to learn XHTML so I can update my own website rather than having to rely on my generous big brother to do it for me. He's already a busy man, and with his first baby due in March, I have no doubt he's going to be even busier. I also want to learn to use Joomla! if I can, because it looks like an awesome program and I'm sure it would make updating my website even easier. Unfotunately, from what I hear, Joomla! can be very confusing and a lot of people have given up on trying to figure out how to use it.

So, what are my New Year's resolutions for 2009? I'm not sure yet. I'll think about it, and post them on Thursday--New Year's Day.

Have a great end of 2008, and I'll see you in the new year!

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-25T00:01:00.000-05:00

I hope you’re all enjoying the day with your family and friends, celebrating the true reason for the holiday: the birth of Christ. Yes, all of the celebrations, gift-giving, etc. are fun, but we also need to praise God that He gave us His Son to pay for our sins. And even though December 25 is the one day of the year that Christ most likely was not born on, it still serves as a reminder that He was born and spent his entire life giving to others. By dying on the cross at the age of thirty-three, He gave all of mankind the ultimate gift: the gift of eternal life. All we have to do is accept that gift and invite Him into our hearts.

As my gift to you, and as a reminder of the loving sacrifice of Christ, here’s a pattern I came up with for a crocheted cross. It’s a simple design that’s great for beginners doesn’t take long to make. I used black acrylic yarn and a size G hook (because that’s what I had handy at the time), but you can use whatever color and type of yarn you want. Make sure the hook is the right size for the yarn, and remember that a large hook and bulkier yarn will make a larger cross while a small hook with thinner yarn will make a smaller one.

The pattern is written with the following standard abbreviations:

ch = chain
hdc = half-double crochet
sl st = slip stitch
st = stitch

Every ch 2 counts as one hdc.

Without further ado, here’s the pattern for your crocheting pleasure:

Crochet Cross
by E.A. West

Base

Ch 6, hdc in third ch from hook, hdc 2, ch 2, turn

(Hdc 3, ch 2, turn) 3 times

Fasten off

Top and Arms

Ch 4, sl st to base, sl st next three st, chain 6, turn

Hdc in third ch from hook, hdc across, ch 2, turn

Hdc across, ch 1, turn

Sl st in first 5 st, ch 2, hdc next 3 st, ch 2, turn

Hdc 3

Fasten off and weave in ends.

This pattern is untested, so please forgive any mistakes you may find. Also, please let me know if you do find any mistakes so I can fix it and post a corrected version.

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-23T00:01:00.000-05:00

I finally have that website I’ve mentioned off and on for months! Check it out: http://eawest.mcphitty.com. I can’t take the credit for the beautiful design, however. I only provided the copy for the site. My brilliant computer science instructor brother built the site for me. He did an amazing job, and yes, I’ve told him several times how much I love it.

One of my goals is to learn XHTML (something my brother says is essential to web design). Until I do, however, my awesome brother has promised to update my site whenever necessary. All I have to do is send him new content.

My other piece of exciting news involves Dreams Do Come True, my short story contracted by The Wild Rose Press. I have a release date! Dreams Do Come True will be released July 1, 2009. I can hardly wait! Of course, I have a ton of work between now and then to learn how to promote an e-book, plus doing the actual promotion. For now, however, I’m still doing the happy dance! Learning promotion can wait until after Christmas.

Have a marvelous week and enjoy this wonderful season of giving and love!

Review: House of Dark Shadows

2008-12-22T12:31:00.000-05:00

Thomas Nelson has published another excellent book, this one for teens. House of Dark Shadows by Robert Liparulo is a wild ride of teenage angst over moving six hundred miles from everything familiar, a new house with weird vibes, and hidden rooms that lead to far-flung times and places. Fifteen-year-old Xander King is convinced his life is over when his parents decide to move the family from L.A. to a secluded small town. While house-hunting, the Kings look at a huge house surrounded by creepy woods at the end of a road. Everyone loves the place, except for Xander. In addition to being surrounded by the creepiest woods he’s ever seen, things don’t behave normally inside the house. Sounds come from the wrong direction, people aren’t where they seem to be, and the house itself makes strange noises.

The Kings move into their dream house and things get even weirder. The linen closet leads to locker one-nineteen in Pinedale Middle and Senior High School. A secret door in the upstairs hallway leads to an impossibly long hallway lined with doors—doors that lead to portals to distant places and times.

House of Dark Shadows is packed with vibrant descriptions that bring the story to life. It’s easy to get drawn into the story and experience everything along with Xander and his younger brother David. And the ending leaves the reader hanging and begging for more. As the last page says, “NOT THE END...” Thankfully, House of Dark Shadows is only Book 1 of Dreamhouse Kings, so those who are waiting in suspense to find out what happens next can read Book 2.

When it's cold outside...

2008-12-18T12:06:00.002-05:00

...hope for snow. I love snow, as anyone who knows me can tell you. The other thing they can tell you is that I hate ice. It scares the daylights out of me when I hear an ice storm is headed my way. I've been through too many ice storms that have knocked out my power for two or more days. I don't mind power outages in warm weather, but if there's ice that means it's really cold. No power means no heat. No heat means I'm freezing my toes off. What I wouldn't give for a fireplace, wood burning stove, or pellet stove. I have a kerosene heater, so I won't freeze to death, but kerosene reeks. I'd much rather smell woodsmoke.

Okay, enough whining. If my power goes out with the ice that's coming tonight, it shouldn't be out too long (I hope). It's supposed to be close to fifty tomorrow with rain that will help melt the ice off the power lines.

Now, for something I found this morning that appeals to my sometimes warped sense of humor. Of course, it wouldn't be nearly as funny if the cow had been injured, but the cow apparently wasn't hurt. According to an Associated Press article, a British pilot making an emergency landing hit a cow. Thanks to that article, I found a video that shows it. It's one of the funniest things I've ever seen. For those of you animal lovers out there (like me), don't worry. The official report says the cow was "apparently uninjured."

Have a wonderful and warm weekend! If you decide to go flying, watch out for cows. They can be hard on your plane.

Christmas Celebration

2008-12-16T13:11:00.002-05:00

Come join the fun at White Roses in Bloom! Stories, poems, recipes and more are posted every day by the authors of the White Rose line at The Wild Rose Press. The Christmas Celebration runs through the end of the month, so be sure to stop by often for new Christmas-related posts.

Have a happy Tuesday and enjoy the Christmas Celebration!

Too Cute...

2008-12-11T05:59:00.000-05:00

To make up for yesterday's rant, and to help you get in the Christmas spirit, here's a video I'm sure you'll love:

Have a happy Thursday!

What happened to good old sweet romance?

2008-12-10T13:40:00.000-05:00

Warning: This post is a rant based on the frustration of an author/reader (namely, me).

It’s no secret that I write inspirational and sweet romance. I also enjoy reading inspirational and sweet romances. Here’s my problem: I can’t find online groups for inspirational or sweet romance authors/readers that are active. The active romance groups...well, that’s where the rant comes in.

I joined a few romance email loops in the last couple of weeks thinking I could use the loops to promote my short story when it’s released. You know, like all the other authors on those loops. When promoting e-books, online promotion is essential. But I got some emails from these groups, including excerpts from the latest release of various romance authors. Nearly every one of the excerpts was labeled adult, explicit, graphic, or NC-17. There were quite a few labeled M/M (male/male) or m/m/f (male/male/female), and one that was labeled f/f (female/female).

Talk about an assault on my sensibilities. Yes, there are people who like that kind of thing, but as a Christian all of that goes against what I believe. I like romances as much as the next person, but what I don’t like is the graphic sex scenes that seem prevalent in so many “romances.” In some books I’ve read, I’ve had to skip over multiple scenes that were graphic about what the hero and heroine were doing. In some of them, the terms used were rather crude. There’s nothing romantic (to me) about that stuff. To me, the romance is the emotional side of the relationship, not graphic physical descriptions.

I’ve heard the saying “Sex sells” and it appears to be live and well in the romance industry. But what about those of us who prefer the love scenes to happen behind closed doors so that we don’t have to read all of those explicit descriptions? I know, there are sweet romances out there, and I appreciate the authors and publishers who have produced them, but why can the active romance groups focus on them? I would love to participate in a group or two specifically for inspirational and sweet romances. As an author, I need to find where readers of inspirational and sweet romances hang out so I can promote my work. But it seems like the word “romance” brings about two groups: those who think all romance novels are “bodice-rippers” (so far from the truth), and those who equate romance novels with hot sex scenes.

I belong to neither group. I see romance as a wonderful genre with so many possibilities for stories. They leave the reader with that warm fuzzy feeling of a happily-ever-after ending, and tug at your heartstrings all through the story. The best romances (in my mind) are the ones where the hero and heroine stay fully clothed (swimsuits are okay if there’s a beach/pool scene) and have to work to resist the temptation to strip and jump into bed together. If there is a love scene between the two of them, I don’t want to see it. To me, that’s a private moment that doesn’t need to be shown. It can be implied in so many ways without following the hero and heroine into the bedroom and giving a blow by blow description of what they’re doing.

So, here’s the question: As an inspirational and sweet romance reader and author, where do I find like-minded people? This country is so focused on sex that it can be difficult to keep the innocence (no, I don’t mean naivety) I prefer. I’m bombarded on all sides by sex (whether blatant or with innuendo) through television, movies, even music that I don’t want to read about it as well. Books are, and always have been, my escape. Unfortunately, I’m having trouble finding romance groups, forums, etc. that hold the same moral standards I do.

I did find one group that sounds like it’s got like-minded people in it, so we’ll see how that goes. I’m also getting connected with other authors of inspirational romance. One things I’ve learned through talking with those other authors is that I’m not the only one having trouble knowing where to promote my story. We’re all in the same boat. We know the readers are out there, we just don’t know where to find them.

If you know of any inspirational or sweet romance e-groups, websites, forums, etc., please let me know so I can share it with my fellow inspirational romance authors. As I said, online promotion is essential for e-books, but you have to know where to direct that promotion.

Coming up for air...only to find a world gone mad

2008-12-04T13:24:00.003-05:00

I admit it. I've been pretty self-absorbed and out of touch for the last week or so. My life (after my brother and sister-in-law went home after Thanksgiving) has revolved around work and my own writing. Thanks to that, I wound up with four hundred or so emails yesterday that I had to wade through. Plus, the last week has been interesting/scary for the publishing world. The big publishers are having all kinds of financial difficulties. Between layoffs, reorganization, and pay freezes, it's looking pretty bleak for places like Random House, Simon & Schuster, and especially Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Christian publishers aren't immune, either. Thomas Nelson just laid off 55 people, about 10% of their employees.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, a huge name in the education market, is one of the scarier looks at what's happening to publishing. A week or so ago, they announced an acquisitions freeze. That means no new contracts. Since then, it appears the acquisitions freeze doesn't affect all departments as was originally reported, but I have no doubt acquisitions will slow to barely a trickle. There are some other things going on at HMH that I haven't had a chance to catch up on, but it's not looking good for them.

I've heard of several publishing executives that have quit or been fired. Some are still in their current positions but looking at other job opportunities. The number of layoffs in the publishing industry continues to grow every week. Random House is going through a restructuring period that's dismantling Doubleday and Bantam Dell and redistributing the pieces to other divisions. Penguin and HarperCollins have put a freeze on all pay raises for now.

Yes, this is a scary time in publishing. As far as I know, nothing like this has ever happened. Everyone thought the publishing industry was somewhat immune to the economic climate, but this wacky roller coaster ride is proof that no one is immune.

However, there is some good news that's come out in the last few days. Fictionwise, a big e-book retailer, has partnered with Stanza to bring something like 40,000 titles to the iPhone. Last week, Pan Macmillian announced they've signed with Stanza as well. A couple of weeks ago, BooksOnBoard, a huge digital book and audiobook online retailer with around 270,000 titles in its catalogue, joined forces with Stanza. This is great news for e-book publishers and authors. We're gaining recognition and the world is finally taking us seriously. Between Oprah endorsing Kindle and Stanza gaining access to huge numbers of titles for the iPhone, I don't see how author organizations (*cough* RWA *cough*) can possibly look down on e-pubbed authors. We're a large community with a voice that's finally being heard.

I've known for years that publishing is an unpredicatable world full of ups and downs. I just never expected it to be this wild a ride. I'm in it for the long haul, however. No matter how scary, exasperating, or confusing this industry can be, it's where I belong.

If you want to stay up on the latest in the publishing industry, I highly recommend signing up for the free e-newsletters from Publishers Weekly and Publishers Marketplace. You can also find a ton of information on the GalleyCat blog at mediabistro.com.

Patterns on the Page

2008-12-02T11:44:00.002-05:00

I've noticed something about my writing, and thinking back over the thousands of books I've read in my lifetime, it's really not that unusual. What am I talking about, you ask? Patterns. Every author seems to have patterns in their writing that all of their stories follow, at least to a certain extent. One pattern that's prevalent in a lot of my writing, especially in the YA written under a pseudonym, is this: girl is in bad situation, girl moves (sometimes to non-custodial parent, sometimes to foster/adoptive family), life improves. I know that sounds really dull, but that's my formula that I can't seem to get away from. Now, out of that I can come up with dozens of unique stories.

How does that work? Well, it's kind of like the romance formula: boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl back. Sounds boring until you look at all the thousands of romance novels out there that are unique and great reads. Just because there's a formula doesn't mean all the stories are identical; only the underlying pattern is the same. You can have an endless number of plots that are at opposite ends of the imagination, yet they follow the same basic pattern.

I guess it's kind of like the old saying that there aren't any new ideas, only new ways to write them. Following a formula is the same way. It's the same old pattern written in a new way. And that new way is what makes great books.

Don't worry if all of your writing follows a pattern. Write the story in your heart. Make it as unique as possible, and embrace your own personal writing formula. Changing the formula that works for you is like trying to change your handwriting: yes, it's possible to do, but you're likely to have an awkward mess that doesn't look natural to anyone.

Thankful for Much

2008-11-28T11:51:00.002-05:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Well, those of you who celebrate it, anyway. I hope everyone else had a great Thursday. I spent the day with family and enjoyed a wonderful meal prepared by my mom (she's such a good cook!). Now, as promised, here's a list of things I'm thankful for:

God loves me
Family (including my furry kids: two cats and two dogs)
Friends
Being able to clearly communicate my thoughts (I had trouble with that when I was a kid)
Working at my dream job
Getting a publishing contract

There are a ton of other things I'm thankful for, such as the gorgeous sunny day we're having right now, but it would take me hours to write them all down. Suffice it to say I have a lot to be thankful for.

Remember, you don't have to wait for Thanksgiving to be thankful. Remind yourself of all the good things in your life or just take a moment to think about what you're grateful for, and it will help you be a happier person. I've learned that from my own experience.

Have a terrific weekend!

Social Networking (Whine and Cheese)

2008-11-25T14:09:00.003-05:00

I've entered the world of social networking by joining MySpace (which I mentioned a while ago), Twitter, Facebook, and ShoutLife. I can tell you now each has their own unique qualities, and I think I'll be happy with all of them.

I do have difficulties with each of them, but that's mainly due to my own personality and lack of understanding of social networking. MySpace still intimidates me, but I think I can navigate it fairly easily. ShoutLife's platform is similar to MySpace but less intimidating to me. I still need to figure out if I can use the same layout on ShoutLife that I use on MySpace. Twitter is probably the easiest to use, if I had something to say fairly often, but I'm not that interesting a person (at least I don't think I am). I still don't understand Facebook. I've figure out groups (sort of) and I know how to update my page, but how do you find people who share your interests without joining a billion groups?

My biggest problem with everywhere but ShoutLife is a lack of friends. I'm doing okay on Twitter, but I can always use more followers. My friends list on MySpace is pretty pathetic (I think I have 6). I'm so lonely on Facebook. I have no friends at all, *sniff, sniff*. ShoutLife has been the friendliest site so far. Everyone has been so welcoming and friendly. In the few days since I joined (I set up my account over the weekend), I've received over fifty friend requests, welcome messages, and even one group invitation from all kinds of people. I think that warm welcome is part of what makes ShoutLife less intimidating than MySpace.

Okay, now that you all know I'm a little inept when it comes to social networking sites, here's an invitation for you. Come find me (search for E.A. West) on any of the sites I've mentioned and send me a friend request. Let me know how you found me, and I'll add you to my friend list. In the case of Twitter, I'll become one of your followers.

Now, for a change of subject. Since Thursday is Thanksgiving, I'll post again on Friday. I'll be busy with family on Thrusday. Have a happy Thanksgiving and think about the things you're thankful for. I'll post my list Friday.

Oh my goodness!

2008-11-20T12:47:00.005-05:00

I have a cover for my short story Dreams Do Come True with The Wild Rose Press!!! The wonderful Nicola Martinez did an excellent job. Check it out:

I am so excited! This brings me one step closer to having a published e-book. The Wild Rose Press is so awesome!

Facebook loves me!

2008-11-18T08:00:00.001-05:00

I signed up for Facebook under my author name, and it's been a struggle to get my author name to show because it involves initials instead of my first name. Over the weekend, I finally gave up trying to figure it out on my own and sent Facebook a message explaining my dilemma. They responded with a message telling my I had to use my full name, which would mean no author name for me since I go by E.A. West.

Needlees to say, I was doing a little beating of the head on the desk.

Yesterday morning, I logged into Facebook to try once more to at least get their system to allow me to use two initials for my middle name. I received the greatest surprise ever when I looked at my name. It reads: E.A. West!

If I could give whoever fixed it for me a hug, I would. I'd send them a humongous thank you if I knew where to send it. I spent two weeks struggling to find a way to get my author name to show and had just about given it up for good (which would have meant no E.A. West on Facebook with any name). Now, thanks to some kind soul, I have my author page and am extremely grateful to someone (either an administrator, a programmer, or both).

Moral of the story: If you're having problems, ask for help. They just might be able to solve your dilemma, even when all seems hopeless.

Thank you, Facebook! You guys are awesome!

Guess what I learned to do!

2008-11-13T08:00:00.000-05:00

A while back I mentioned my goal of learning to knit before the end of the year. This week, I made a successful step toward reaching that goal. I can knit I-cord! I know, all you knitters out there probably don't understand my excitement over accomplishing such a simple task, but you haven't seen my many failed attempts at knitting anything that turned out right. Trust me, being able to knit I-cord and having it look normal is an amazing feat.

Now, if I could just figure out how to go from I-cord to anything else. It looks like I'll be spending some time on YouTube looking for how-to-knit videos. I'd ask a knitter to show me how it's done, but I only know crocheters. Crochet I can do and have been since I was twelve or so.

In case you haven't figured out yet, I love yarn. String is cool too, but I love to make things with yarn. At some point, I want to learn to weave on a backstrap loom, but that's going to take more work than learning to knit. I have yet to find a person who even knows what a backstrap loom is, let alone how to use one. Maybe I should check YouTube for backstrap weaving videos...

Have a great weekend and make time for yarn!

Eek! Sent the revisions...

2008-11-11T12:51:00.003-05:00

I sent my revisions to the editor yesterday. I had to rewrite a tiny bit, so I hope she likes what I did. With any luck, the story won't need much in the way of editing at this point. I think it looks pretty clean now, but I'm the author and have a hard time stepping back to look at it objectively. That's one reason I love editors. They catch the myriad little things an author is bound to miss.

I've decided to try my hand writing short romances and other stories to sell to a variety of markets. I found one in Australia that looks pretty good and they accept international submissions. Yay! Of course, the odds are great that I'll get rejected, since they get a ton of submissions every year and have a much smaller number of slots to fill. Still, the only way to guarantee I won't get something published there is to never submit. I learned a long time ago that the only way to become a published author is to submit, regardless of how long a shot the market might be. If I never submit, I can guarantee I'll never get published.

I'm on the look out for more paying markets for my short stuff. I went the non-paying market route and had some success there, but like so many have discovered, if I'm going to put in the hours to write and revise a story, I think it's only fair that I get paid for that work. Now, that doesn't mean I'll never submit to a non-paying market again. Sometimes that's the perfect market for a particular piece. But for now, I need to try to get paid for my writing. Blame it on the economy.

If anyone knows of paying markets for short stories (500 words and up), please share! Writers helping writers is what this blog is all about...well, that and my sometimes crazy life. Have a great week and check back Thursday for an update about my learning-to-knit adventure.

Ah, the wonders of pets...

2008-11-06T09:31:00.000-05:00

This picture from I Can Has Cheezburger sums up every pet I've ever owned, especially the cats and my recently acquired shih tzu:

Wowza!

2008-11-04T11:38:00.002-05:00

One of my crit buddies got a contract! I am so excited for her! I haven't read the story that's been picked up by a publisher, but I know from reading some of her other work that she's a wonderful storyteller and her writing is great. I'm sure she'll go far as an author with the way her stories draw the reader in. I know if I were a publisher, I'd be glad to have her as one of my authors.

For my own "wowza" news, I received the signed copy of my contract yesterday. I knew it was coming (they confirmed receipt of the contract with an email) but actually receiving it and holding it in my hands makes this whole fantastic experience real. Squee! I still want to do a happy dance just thinking about it.

Of course, with my story actually being under contract, I have deadlines. I need to finish a round of edits this week. Since it's a short story, it won't take me long to go over it one more time (I've already been through it twice). I just have to find the time to get to it. I have a couple of work-related deadlines this week, too, and it's going to be interesting getting everything done by Friday evening.

Have a great week everyone, and stay tuned for Thursday's post!

Oh, the forms...

2008-10-30T11:43:00.003-04:00

Have I ever mentioned that I don't like filling out forms? Who does, right? Well, I've been filling out forms in the last couple of days, all of them related to my contract with The Wild Rose Press. Don't get me wrong; these forms are far from complex and aren't intimidating, and there are very few of them. My problem involves things like writing a brief bio.

Do you have any idea how hard it is for me to write about myself and not make myself sound more boring than a rock? Fiction is so much easier. So is writing about anyone other than myself. But, after about ten tries of varying degrees of failure, I finally came up with something that sounded good and captured my personality...I hope. If you're dying of curiosity, you can check out my bio on my MySpace page.

My profile isn't that exciting yet, since I haven't had much time to work on it, but the About Me section is done. I haven't had a chance to find friends, either, so right now my only friend is Tom. As anyone who's signed up for MySpace knows, yes, it's that Tom. The one who automatically becomes the friend of all new members. It's so nice to have a friend as soon as I sign up, but I really need to find more friends. There's something about seeing all these profiles with hundreds or thousands of friends, and then looking at my own profile and seeing only Tom.

Ah, well. That's what I get for not spending enough time on MySpace. Maybe I'll rectify that situation over the weekend. In between working on edits of course. It's so exciting to finally work on my own manuscript while knowing it's under a contract!

Have a great weekend, everyone, and fear forms no more. If I can survive them, anyone can do it.

Woohoo!!!

2008-10-28T09:48:00.002-04:00

I am so excited!!! (hence the extra exclamation marks) Yesterday, I mailed my first contract! That short romance I've been focusing on for the last couple of months has been accepted by The Wild Rose Press. There are so many things that make this great. Here are some of them in no particular order:

1. The Wild Rose Press is a royalty-paying publisher

2. They are great people to work with (just ask their authors)

3. I've never had a contract before (even though I've published two short stories)

4. I'll be getting paid for my writing for the first time ever!

I'm doing the happy dance this week, celebrating with joy. I still have work, but it's a whole lot more enjoyable because I have a short story being published for which I will get paid. That's what I consider success: getting a contract from a royalty-paying publisher. Not everyone will agree with me on that, but my goal for years has been paying publication. Thanks to The Wild Rose Press, I've achieved that goal.

My next goal? Getting a full-length novel published. That one's a little more difficult, especially given the current economic climate, but someday it will happen. I can be very persistent and patient, two things that generally pay off in publishing.

Have a great week, everyone! I know I will.

Exciting News!

2008-10-23T11:12:00.000-04:00

As you longtime readers know, I already have the most adorable niece ever. I love her to pieces, but in the next few months I’m going to have a couple more little ones to shower with my auntie love. My sister and her husband and my brother and his wife are having little boys!

I am so excited for all of them, and I can’t wait to meet my nephews for the first time. I love being an aunt, and I’m planning to crochet cute things for both boys. I already have a cute crocheted thing started for my niece. I can’t leave her out! I’m an equal opportunity spoiler.

Have a great weekend, everyone! I have a crochet hook and some yarn calling my name.

Jouranlistic Responsibility

2008-10-21T11:14:00.003-04:00

It seems everyone is writing about current events these days. It’s great that so many people are interested in what’s going on in the world around them, but I’ve noticed something concerning: a lack of journalistic responsibility.

What do I mean by “journalistic responsibility”? That’s simple. If you’re going to write about events like a journalist, you need to check your facts. Don’t state opinion as fact; use facts to support your opinion. A lot of people use the internet to share their opinions on everything from the best taco sauce to the state of the world economy. Which people get the most attention and have the most influence over others? The ones who have obviously done their homework and present their opinions in a logical manner.

Coming across as irrational or uninformed is a fast way to lose all credibility with potential readers. Sloppy writing and parroting what we’re fed by the mainstream media will also discourage people from listening to what you have to say. People turn to the internet and alternative news sources to get the rest of the story, the things the evening news doesn’t have time to talk about.

By blogging or getting into a discussion about current events on a message board, you’ve become an alternative source of information. That’s why journalistic responsibility is so important. The whole point of those discussions and blogs posts is to inform. Make sure you’re spreading true information and not misinformation. Half-truths or outright lies are generally easily exposed by a little research. Don’t lose your credibility by skipping the essential step of checking your facts.

I know what you’re thinking; all of this trouble just to write your opinion on biofuel? Look at it this way. If you go to all of the trouble to make sure you have your facts straight, not only will you have a more informed decision, your opinion will carry more weight with people just by the simple fact that you really do know what you’re talking about.

So, check your facts, write your thoughts in a clear manner, and show the world you know your stuff and can back it up with research.

Fact-check...Always Fact-check...

2008-10-16T10:08:00.002-04:00

There's nothing more frustrating than thinking you've reached the end of the revision process only to discover you have a big inaccuracy that affects the whole story. Enter yet another round of revising with some rewriting to correct the problem.

The moral of this story? Always fact-check early in the revision process. Even better is to do the research before you ever write the story to make sure you have dates and other information correct. Trust me, it save a major headache later on. The earlier you do your fact-checking and research, the easier it is to deal with revising the manuscript for accuracy. That way you're not having to rewrite pieces of prose you worked so hard to make perfect.

Inaccuracies are always annoying. I'm the first to admit it, since my writing over the years has had enough of them that I've had to correct. Thankfully, I'm getting better about researching before I write, or at least in the early stages of the manuscript, so that my writing is much more accurate than it used to be.

Now, keep in mind I'm talking about fiction here. Non-fiction is a different animal entirely, and accuracy is even more essential. Readers of fiction are a little more forgiving (sometimes, anyway) of miniscule inaccuracies. Any inaccuracy or misinformation in your non-fiction can kill your writing career and any credibility you have. Obviously, you want to do in-depth research before ever starting your non-fiction manuscript. That will save you not only headaches down the line, it could very well save your reputation and writing career.

So, in addition to the million other things you should keep in mind when preparing to write and writing your first draft, you also need to be aware that your work should be accurate. Don't let that scare you, however, and keep you from ever writing a word. Like every other part of writing, you can always revise later, after you've written your first draft and let it sit for a while. Just remember to do another round of fact-checking before you decide your manuscript is ready to submit. You don't want to send it off then realize you got something wrong.

As the title of this post says: Fact-check. Always fact-check.

Have I mentioned that I love writing-related webcomics?

2008-10-14T11:40:00.002-04:00

I already new about Unshelved and Tales from the Slush Pile. Now I've learned about another whose posting isn't quite as regular, but it's still great: The Adventures of Comma Boy.

The first couple of strips are political, but once you get past them and get to the writing-related ones, particularly the ones about people preparing queries, it's hysterical and sounds like so many submission horror stories I've heard from agents and editors.

If you know of any other writing or publishing-related webcomics, let me know. I'm always up for adding to my list of ways to waste time on the internet.

Have a great week!

It's been a year already?

2008-10-11T10:30:00.001-04:00

Today marks the one-year anniversary of this blog! I'm so excited. When I started this adventure last October, I knew nothing about blogging. I wasn't even sure I'd be able to keep it going until the end of 2007, but here it is one year later and still going strong.

I don't know much more about blogging than I did then, but what I'm doing seems to be working fairly well. For those of you who don't already know, I update this blog every Tuesday and Thursday. The topics range all over the place, but I almost always tie them into writing or some other part of the publishing industry.

Now I'll give you a chance to boss me around. What have I done in the past year that works for you? What did you absolutely hate and hope I never do again? Are there any topics I've covered that you'd like to see more on? Or maybe there's a writing/publishing-related topic I haven't talked about at all that you'd like to see a post (or series of posts) about.

Tell me what's on your mind. This blog is all about you, the reader.

Call for Submissions

2008-10-09T11:12:00.003-04:00

Romance publisher The Wild Rose Press has put out a call for submissions. They accept all romance genres in any length from 3,000 to 100,000 words. They also publish everything from sweet romances to the hotter than hot romances. They even have a YA line, so if you have a sweet love story between teenagers, you can still submit!

The Wild Rose Press is an e-publisher, but they also do print for full-length novels (40,000 words and up). They're a very author-friendly company, with weekly chats where authors, readers, and prospective authors can chat with editors and sometimes the Editor-in-Chief. Most submissions receive a fairly quick response, though depending on an editor's work load it could take a little longer. If you happen to receive a rejection, it will never be a form letter. They always send out personalized rejections, usually with a few hints on how to improve your story. If the editor feels strongly enough about the story, they may invite you to resubmit after you revise. This is all part of the company policy to grow writers, not just books.

For more information about submitting to The Wild Rose Press, check out their submissions page. Look around while you're there, explore the site to learn more about the company, its authors, and the books. If you visit The Greenhouse, you'll find a wealth of information on writing, both general writing information and romance-specific. These articles have been written by multi-published authors and some of The Wild Rose Press' own editors.

Though a small publisher, The Wild Rose Press is respected among authors and has been recognized by the RWA. Good luck with your submissions!

Off, off, and away! And how long should it take?

2008-10-07T11:43:00.002-04:00

Well, I sent off my short romance manuscript yesterday. Now I get to wait and worry about whether the editor likes it. I'm sure she will, but you never know. As I've said often enough, publishing is very subjective and what one person likes, another will hate.

I have to admit, I don't like waiting for a response any more than the next writer. But I understand that it takes time to review the dozens of submissions that publishers receive every week. Then a decision has to be made, and most publishers require approval from at least two people before offering a contract. That takes more time.

Publishing is SLOW. Yes, e-publishing is faster than print publishing, but edits take time. You still have the back and forth between editor and author as they work to make the manuscript perfect. Then there's the production process. That adds more time to the length between contract and release.

Would I mind a release a year after signing the contract? No way! It's better than the two years that's so common among the big New York print publishers. And if the e-publisher waits until the edits are done to assign the release date, I know I'm not going to be told the date has to change because the manuscript needs more work. Hallelujah, a release date that's all but set in stone! Every author's dream, as it makes promotional a whole lot easier if you know for a fact your book will be out on such and such a day.

It appears I'm in a minority, however. I've heard countless authors complain about the length of time it takes for their book to come out. It doesn't matter if it's an e-book that's out in a year or less or a print book that takes up to two years to come out. The complaint is the same. Why can't my book be released sooner?

Well, there are a couple of reasons for that. The ones you as the author can control are the condition of your manuscript when you send it in and the length of time you take on revisions. When you submit to a publisher, make sure you have that manuscript polished until it shines. The more perfect the writing, the less editing it will take, thereby cutting down on the length of time between contract and release, at least with most publishers. If it's a great story but the writing isn't up to par, it takes more work to get the manuscript whipped into shape so it can go into production.

The other time consideration is how long you take on revisions. Now, I'm not saying you should rush through the revisions your editor requests just to get the manuscript back to the editor faster. Rushing tends to lead to mistakes and that makes the editing process take longer. But you should always meet the deadline your editor gives you. If you find a few things that could be improved that the editor didn't comment on, by all means improve them. That may save the editor a step in the next round of edits. Don't completely rewrite the book, however, because the story you have is the one that's under contract. The improvements I'm talking about are taking an awkward sentence and smoothing it out, adding a bit of description to a kind of dry area, things like that. Small changes to improve the quality of the manuscript.

Now, the thing you can't control is an editor's schedule. Yes, your manuscript is one of his priorities, but he likely has several manuscripts under contract that all demand his time. Plus about a million other little things that add up to keep him busy beyond belief. Try to be patient with your editor. He wants to see your book released as soon as possible (just like you), but it takes time. Assuming you've gone with a reputable publisher, they'll get your book out to readers as quickly as they can.

I know, none of this helps if you're looking for instant gratification for your writing. If you're one of those people who absolutely cannot wait longer than a week to hear what people think about your writing, consider starting a blog. It may take a while to build up a readership, but your work will be out there instantly for the world to see. Another option is self-publishing, but that takes money. A lot of times, you won't get the same quality of editing that you'd get with a traditional, royalty-paying publisher; you may not get any editing at all. That lack of editing is likely to cost you in terms of sales, but your book will be out fast.

Remember the moral of the fable The Hare and The Tortoise. Slow and steady wins the race.

It's finished...I hope

2008-10-02T11:35:00.002-04:00

I finally finished expanding a short story into a longer short story. Last night, I completed revisions on it. I'm going to give the wonderful people from my critique group the opportunity to look it over, then on Monday I'll send it back to the editor who requested the expansion.

I can never say enough good things about critique groups. I thought my writing was great several years ago. Then I joined a terrific critique group (the one that helped me with that short story) and learned that I knew next to nothing about writing. Their gentle guidance and helpful words have brought me to the place I'm at today. Two short stories published and an editor interested in a third. Through critiquing others' work, I discovered a love for editing and honed my skills to the point where I now work as an editor.

I've become a lot busier in recent months and my participation in critique groups has slowed way down. I try to keep up with the emails and help out when someone has a tight deadline. This weekend, since I no longer have that story hanging over my head, I'm hoping to spend some time critiquing chapters for those who have been kind enough to critique my chapters. I doubt I can ever repay all of the people who have helped me on my writing journey, but as I get farther into the publishing world, I hope I can provide some insight that might help my fellow writers succeed.

I'm still far from my dream of having a novel published, but I'm getting closer all the time. I hope to finish revising a couple of manuscripts and start submitting again soon, but it's okay if it takes me longer than originally planned. One thing I've learned through studying the publishing world is that it pays to be patient. The more time I spend polishing my manuscripts and making sure they're as perfect as possible before sending them out, the better my chances of gaining the interest of an editor and/or agent.

I'll update you all on the short story I'm sending out Monday just as soon as I hear anything from the editor. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and praying that this publishing house is where God wants my story to be. I have a good feeling about it, but we'll see what happens.

Have a great weekend, everyone, and check back on Tuesday for a new post!

Taking a Crochet Break

2008-09-30T09:08:00.000-04:00

I have an admission to make. I enjoy crocheting a great deal. Now, that won’t be surprising to anyone who knows me. I’ve crocheted for years. But here’s something not everyone knows, mainly because I made the decision Sunday afternoon. I’m going to learn to knit. My goal is to know at least the basics by the end of the year. As awesome as crocheting is, I would love to be able to make a cable-knit sweater. I rarely find sweaters that are long enough for my tastes (mid-thigh is my favorite length with sleeves that fall to my fingers) and cable-knit looks nifty. I doubt I’ll be able to knit cables by the end of the year. I’ll be happy if I can knit and purl with the same ease as I can crochet.

I know, I normally connect everything to writing or editing. This time, however, there’s no connection to my writing. Needlecrafts are something I enjoy when I take a break from writing. Taking an afternoon to crochet or work on cross-stitch leaves me feeling refreshed when I go back to working with words.

All writers and editors need the occasional break from the written word to keep from getting burned out. If you always write and edit and never do anything just for the fun of it, you can lose your excitement for written words. An afternoon away from the computer is a great way to come back to your work refreshed and enthusiastic once more.

Crocheting is one of my favorite “downtime” activities. What do you enjoy doing when taking a break from words?

The Wild Rose Press is giving away a SONY eReader!

2008-09-25T08:40:00.003-04:00

Romance publisher The Wild Rose Press is giving away a SONY eReader to one lucky person! The rules are simple:

1. Buy a story by one of the sponsoring authors

2. Send in a copy of the order number, the title of the story, and the date you purchased it. If you order several stories, even in one order, you can send in as many entries as you have titles.

The Fall 2008 SONY eReader giveaway runs from September 22, 2008 to December 15, 2008. For more information, including a list of sponsoring authors, check out the contest page at The Wild Rose Press.

Summer colds...

2008-09-23T11:39:00.002-04:00

Summer colds are the worst kind, in my opinion. They seem to hit harder and take forever to go away. I caught one last week (at the very end of summer; how unfair is that?) and every time I think I'm getting over it, it comes back. This morning in particular, I feel about like I did last Friday. Am I worried? No, because I know several other people who have or had the same cold and they're going through the same thing. It takes forever to go away, but every "relapse" is a little lighter and a little shorter. Maybe by next week, this cold will be gone completely! One can always hope, anyway.

Here's the fun (haha) part of having a cold right now: Not only am I trying to expand a short story (as requested by an editor) I also have a ton of other work to do as well. Work stops for no cold, though there are days I wish it would. But deadlines continue to march forward with no regard for a person's sinuses.

So I'm off to work and try to shake this cold once and for all. Check back Thursday for a more interesting post.

100th Post!

2008-09-18T00:00:00.000-04:00

Post number 100 has arrived at long last! This is a major milestone for me, since this is my first blog. Regular readers will know that I've blogged about a variety of topics from writing and editing to searching for a job and taking care of my niece. It all comes back to writing and the writer's life since writing is my passion and a huge part of my life.

Being able to share what I've learned about writing and editing in the last eight years is an amazing experience. Sharing my struggles on the road to publication so other writers know they're not alone is an honor. Publishing is far from simple and can be a difficult business to break into. But if you're willing to put forth the effort to learn and revise and learn from rejections so you can revise again, you're ahead of the writers who refuse to accept that their manuscripts might need a little more work. Persistence is everything, especially if you combine it with patience. This business is notoriously slow, but as you know from past posts, it's a business I love and hope to stay with for a very long time.

Thanks for joining me on the journey to this 100th post. Here's to another hundred posts and beyond!

Wow, there's a lot of movement in the agenting/publishing world!

2008-09-16T09:45:00.002-04:00

In the last couple of weeks, I've heard about several agents and editors moving from one place to another, getting promoted, etc. Here's a brief rundown of the agent moves I've heard about. If I tried to do the editor moves as well, I'd never finish this post.

Emmanuelle Alspaugh, formerly with Wendy Sherman Associates, has moved to Judith Ehrlich Literary Management.

Sheila Crowley left AP Watt to join Curtis Brown UK.

Anne McDermid & Associates in Canada will use British agency Rogers, Coleridge & White to represent their authors' rights in the British and translation markets.

Mollie Glick has left the Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency to join Foundry Literary + Media.

Mary Cummings, former McKnight Award in Children's Literature administrator and organizer of the Festival of Children's Literature at the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis, will represent children's books in association with Betsy Amster Literary Enterprises.

Melissa Jeglinski, formerly senior editor of Harlequin's Silhouette Desire line, has joined The Knight Agency as associate agent/submissions coordinator.

Michelle Andelman has left Andrea Brown Literary Agency to join Franklin & Siegal as a children's book scout.

Will Francis, formerly of Greene & Heaton, will join Janklow & Nesbit UK September 22.

Kathleen Spinelli, co-founder of agency and packager Brands-To-Books, has been hired as publisher of custom packaging at Quarto's art instruction and activity book subsidiary Walter Foster Publishing.

Trena Keating, editor-in-chief of Dutton, has been hired by Endeavor as an agent in the New York Office.

Thanks to Publishers Lunch for all of this great information! If you'd like to sign up to recieve the free Publishers Lunch newsletter (where I learned about all of these agent moves and so much more), just visit the subscription page and follow the instructions.

Remembering

2008-09-11T09:04:00.002-04:00

Today is September 11. It's been seven years since the terrorist attacks that killed nearly three thousand people in New York City, the Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania. Is the world a safer place now than it was then? I have no idea. Our country's security is stronger, but the world at large is still pretty unstable. There will likely always be security problems all over the world. Human nature is a wacky thing that tends to think violence is the answer for disagreements. As I've said for most of my life, violence doesn't solve anything. It only exacerbates the problem.

That said, it's important to know that while I may hate war in general (I don't know of anyone in any country who likes war), I think going to Afghanistan and Iraq were necessary moves for our government to make. Through the effort and sacrifice of the brave men and women not only from the United States but several other countries as well, two countries who had been suffering under tyranny are now democracies. Those military operations destabilized both countries, but they now have a chance to rebuild into better places to live than they were when ruled by tyrannical dictators.

Today is the perfect opportunity to remember not only the nearly three thousand lives lost seven years ago, but also all of the men and women who have sacrificed everything to serve their country. Thank you to everyone currently serving to make the world a better place. A big thank you also goes out to the men and women who have served in the past. You and your families all have my gratitude for the sacrifices you've made in the name of freedom, not only freedom for our country but freedom for others as well. You are appreciated.